Nicknamed “The Shadow’: Hamas Leader Mohammed Sinwar Confirmed Dead

Jerusalem, 1 June, 2025 (TPS-IL) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) yesterday confirmed the newly appointed Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar was killed last month in an air strike.

The announcement followed weeks of speculation after the strike on the European hospital in Gaza, May 13, where Sinwar was hiding.

Sinwar, aged 49, was the younger brother of Yahya Sinwar, the leader who masterminded the October 7 invasion of Israel, who was killed after being shot by IDF soldiers eight months ago.

The two brothers were both born – and later killed – in the Khan Yunis area of Gaza. Mohammed was a part of the 2011 negotiations that saw Yahya released as one of 1,027 Palestinian terrorists freed in exchange for captive Israeli Gilad Shalit.

At some point in his terror-career history, Mohammed Sinwar was nicknamed “The Shadow” by Israeli intelligence, as he was so elusive. He even skipped his father’s funeral to avoid being known to authorities.

Despite this, more recently, the Shin Bet were aware of his movements and managed to exact a precision assassination as he hid.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz praised the IDF and Shin Bet, and sent a stark warning to other potential Hamas leaders.

In a public statement he wrote: “Az al-Din al-Haddad in Gaza and Khalil al-Hayya abroad – and all their partners in crime – you’re next.

“It’s now official – the arch-murderer Mohammad Sinwar was eliminated along with Rafah Brigade Commander Mohammad Shabana and the gang of villains who were with them beneath the European Hospital in Gaza, and has been sent to meet his brother at the gates of hell.

“Congratulations to the IDF and Shin Bet on the flawless execution. Israel’s long arm will reach all those responsible for the murders and atrocities of October 7, wherever they may be – near or far – until their complete elimination.

“Az al-Din al-Haddad in Gaza and Khalil al-Hayya abroad – and all their partners in crime – you are next.”

Az al-Din al-Haddad is the leader of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza City, and Al-Hayya is part of Hamas’ leadership and resides in Qatar.

Alongside Mohammed Sinwar, Muhammad Shabana, Commander of Hamas’ military wing, and senior commander Mahdi Kuwar, were also killed in the strike.

Describing the operation, the IDF and Shin Bet wrote in a joint statement: “It can now be confirmed that in a joint operation, on May 13, 2025, fighter jets attacked the Khan Yunis area and killed the terrorist Muhammad Sinwar, head of the military wing of the Hamas terrorist organization.

“Also killed in the same attack were the terrorists Muhammad Shabana, commander of the Rafah Brigade of the Hamas terrorist organization, and Mahdi Kuwar, commander of the organization’s southern Khan Yunis battalion.

“The terrorists were eliminated while they were in an underground command and control complex, under the European Hospital in Khan Yunis, while endangering the civilian population in and around the hospital.

“The attack was carried out by the Southern Command and the Air Force, with precise intelligence guidance from the Military Intelligence and Shin Bet, with complex decisions made by the Chief of Staff and the Shin Bet head in real time.

“As part of the attack, numerous intelligence operations were conducted to pinpoint the attack points, and to enable precise strikes that would minimize harm to civilians in the area. The hospital’s functioning was not affected as a result of the attack.

“Muhammad Sinwar was one of the senior and veterans in Hamas’ military wing, and took a significant part in planning and executing the murderous massacre on October 7, in which he served as head of the operations headquarters.

“After the assassination of Muhammad Deif, he was appointed by his brother Yahya Sinwar to the position of head of the military wing and was an influential and central factor in the Hamas movement’s decision-making and in outlining strategy and policy for the military wing.

“As commander of Hamas’ military wing, he promoted many processes for the rehabilitation and activity of the military wing.

“In the past, he served as commander of the Khan Yunis Brigade and head of the operations headquarters of the military wing, and was involved in planning the kidnapping of Gilad Shalit and holding him captive.”

They wrote of the other terrorists: “Muhammad Shabana was one of the planners and executors of the murderous massacre carried out by the Hamas terrorist organization on October 7, and commanded For holding many hostages in the southern Gaza Strip.

“During the Iron Sword War, he directed numerous terrorist attacks against IDF forces operating in the southern Gaza Strip, and initiated numerous rocket attacks from the Rafah Brigade area towards Israeli territory.

“Mahdi Kuare began his activity in the Hamas terrorist organization as a weapons manufacturer and military operative in the Khan Yunis Brigade, later serving as the head of the Nuhba in the brigade and finally being promoted and appointed as the commander of the southern Khan Yunis battalion.”

At least 1,180 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 58 remaining hostages, 35 are believed to be dead.