Wafric News – May 13, 2025

Gaza, Palestine (WafricNews) – In a high-stakes military move on Tuesday evening, Israel reportedly targeted the hospital in Gaza’s southern Khan Younis region, where it is believed that Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar was located. The strike, which killed six Palestinians and injured over 40 others, has drawn significant international attention as the conflict between Israel and Hamas intensifies.

According to Israeli military sources, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted the airstrike on the European Hospital, targeting what they described as a Hamas command center hidden beneath the facility. However, they did not specifically confirm Sinwar as the direct target. This incident, which involved multiple airstrikes on the hospital’s yard, is considered one of the largest bombings in Gaza in recent weeks, sending towering plumes of smoke into the sky.

Dr. Saleh Al Hams, the head of nursing at the hospital, described the aftermath as “a catastrophe,” with some individuals trapped under the rubble as medical teams scrambled to move patients to safer areas. The attack underscores the high-stakes environment in which both sides are fighting for control, with civilian infrastructure becoming increasingly involved in the conflict.

In a statement following the attack, Hamas denied claims that Sinwar had been targeted, asserting that only the Palestinian resistance, through its official channels, could confirm or deny any such reports. Despite the uncertainty, the strike represents a significant escalation in Israel's efforts to target Hamas leadership.

This attack comes at a crucial juncture in ongoing negotiations. On Monday, Hamas made a gesture of goodwill by releasing Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, a move that seemed to sideline Israel and signal the group's willingness to engage in diplomatic talks, particularly with the United States. With negotiations set to take place in Doha, Qatar, the timing of Israel’s strike on Sinwar appears to be a direct challenge to the potential peace talks. US envoy Steve Witkoff, who is slated to engage in discussions with officials in the Middle East, had emphasized the need for relentless pursuit of hostages' release, making this new military action even more contentious.

Israel’s decision to target Sinwar is based on his long-standing role in Hamas' operations. Mohammed Sinwar has been an instrumental figure in the militant group since his brother Yahya Sinwar was killed by Israeli forces in October 2023. As a seasoned military strategist, Mohammed Sinwar has been pivotal in orchestrating Hamas’ military operations and is believed to have played a key role in the October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel.

Since the war erupted, Sinwar has remained elusive, hiding in Gaza's dense urban areas and underground tunnels. Israel has been closely tracking his movements, and the IDF released footage earlier this year of Sinwar traveling in a tunnel system. However, despite Israel’s efforts, Sinwar has managed to evade capture, making him one of the most high-profile targets in Gaza.

The Sinwar brothers' rise to prominence within Hamas is marked by their ruthless determination and military acumen. Yahya Sinwar, imprisoned for a series of offenses in the late 1980s, had spent years learning Hebrew and studying Israeli military tactics during his incarceration. After his release in 2011 as part of the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange, Yahya quickly ascended to the leadership of Hamas, becoming the organization’s most wanted figure following the October 7 attack on Israel.

Despite Israel’s repeated efforts to locate him, Yahya’s movements underground remained elusive until his eventual death in a firefight in Rafah, southern Gaza, in late 2023. With his passing, Mohammed Sinwar has emerged as the new figurehead of Hamas, and Israel’s military has made his capture or elimination a priority.

As the conflict rages on, experts are divided on whether Sinwar’s removal would pave the way for peace or further escalate the situation. Dan Shapiro, former US ambassador to Israel, suggested that Sinwar’s continued presence is an obstacle to peace talks, stating that the war may not end until he is neutralized. His potential removal, Shapiro argues, could help unlock a path toward a post-Hamas Gaza and the release of all hostages.

However, many believe that as long as figures like Sinwar remain active, peace efforts will continue to face significant challenges. Whether or not this latest Israeli strike will succeed in capturing or killing him remains uncertain, but it is clear that Mohammed Sinwar’s role in the ongoing Gaza conflict will continue to shape the region’s future.


By WafricNews Desk.