Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Hamas’ Gaza commander Mohammed Sinwar has been killed in a major escalation of the war.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday told lawmakers that Hamas’ Gaza chief, Mohammed Sinwar, has been killed.
Sinwar, the younger brother of slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, assumed command in southern Gaza last October. His death, if confirmed by Hamas, would mark a significant Israeli breakthrough after months without high-profile assassinations.
“We eliminated Mohammad Deif, Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Sinwar,” Netanyahu told the Knesset. “In the last two days, we have been in a dramatic turn towards a complete defeat of Hamas.”
Netanyahu has vowed to press on in Gaza until Hamas is destroyed and all remaining hostages are freed.
The war, now in its 600th day, has claimed nearly 54,000 lives in Gaza, including thousands of children, according to Palestinian health officials.
Hamas has not confirmed the killing. Reports suggest Izz al-Din Haddad could succeed Sinwar.
Meanwhile, Israel has launched new food distribution systems in Gaza, where crowds overran aid centers. Gunfire killed at least one person and wounded 48 more.