Jerusalem – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Wednesday that Israel has “probably” killed Mohammed Sinwar, the elusive de facto leader of Hamas in Gaza.
During a press conference, Netanyahu asserted, “We eliminated tens of thousands of terrorists. We eliminated the leaders of the murderers Deif, Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar and probably Mohammad Sinwar.”
The Israeli military targeted the European hospital in Khan Younis last week in a large-scale strike. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the attack resulted in the deaths of 28 Palestinians and injured over 50 others. While Israel stated the strike targeted Hamas militants in a command and control center beneath the hospital, it did not explicitly confirm Mohammed Sinwar as the target. However, Israeli security sources indicated Sinwar was the intended target, alongside other senior Hamas commanders.
If Sinwar’s death is confirmed, it would mark another significant blow to Hamas’s leadership, following the reported killing of his brother, Yahya Sinwar, by Israeli forces in southern Gaza in October. Despite these assassinations, Hamas has so far maintained its control over Gaza. CNN has reached out to Hamas for comment on Netanyahu’s claim.
In his first press conference in several months, Netanyahu also reiterated Israel’s commitment to its ongoing military operation in Gaza. “Our forces are capturing more and more territory in Gaza,” he declared. “At the end of the operation all areas of the Strip will be under Israeli security control.”
Netanyahu indicated that Israel might agree to a temporary ceasefire that includes the release of hostages held by Hamas. However, he stressed that a permanent end to the conflict would only be considered under specific conditions, including the demilitarization of Gaza, the removal of Hamas from power, and the implementation of the US plan for voluntary emigration from the enclave.
“Anyone who calls on us to stop the war before these goals are achieved is calling on us to leave Hamas in power,” Netanyahu asserted.
Regarding Iran, Netanyahu stated that there is “full coordination” with the United States, even as the Trump administration pursues a new nuclear agreement with Tehran. He emphasized that any such deal must prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and halt its uranium enrichment activities. This statement comes after reports on Tuesday suggesting that US intelligence indicates Israel is preparing a potential strike on Iranian nuclear facilities.
“The state of Israel maintains the right to defend itself against a regime that threatens to destroy it,” Netanyahu concluded.
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