On May 13, 2025, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) launched a precision airstrike on an underground Hamas command centre beneath the European Hospital in Khan Yunis, Gaza. The strike killed 28 people, including Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar and Rafah Brigade commander Mohammad Sabaneh.
The IDF released a detailed 3D illustration of the operation, demonstrating the targeted, sophisticated tunnel network that functioned as a combat control centre. In coordination with the Israel Security Agency (ISA), the IDF leveraged advanced technology and intelligence to execute the strike. The IDF emphasised the complexity and scale of the underground infrastructure and explained that precision munitions and aerial surveillance helped minimise harm to civilians. The operation did not disrupt hospital activities.
🚨BREAKING: IDF now confirms that Hamas’ leader in Gaza, Mohammad Sinwar, was killed in an air strike along with two other senior Hamas officials on May 13 near Khan Younis.
IDF: “In that strike, the terrorists Mohammad Sabaneh, commander of Hamas' Rafah Brigade, and Mahdi… pic.twitter.com/z3OhEcDIW9
— Jotam Confino (@mrconfino) May 31, 2025On May 28, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the elimination of Muhammad Sinwar, brother of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, alongside other high-ranking Hamas figures such as Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, during a Knesset address reported by BBC News.
Hamas has not officially acknowledged Sinwar’s death; senior official Osama Hamdan asserted he was still alive. However, Saudi media reported that authorities found Sinwar’s body in the tunnel, according to The Times of Israel.
Read: Netanyahu Claims Hamas Gaza Chief Mohammad Sinwar Killed in Israeli Strike
The IDF’s operation targeted a tunnel system allegedly used by Hamas for military purposes. While some Palestinian sources corroborate this claim, critics argue that the operation puts civilians at risk. The Gaza Health Ministry confirmed 28 deaths, including non-combatants, prompting concerns about the strike’s proportionality.
The recent targeted killing of Hamas leaders has dealt a significant blow to the group’s leadership. However, the 2025 operation targeting Hamas tunnels has heightened concerns about civilian safety and the use of hospitals in conflict, drawing increased international scrutiny to the Israel-Hamas war.
