In a high-stakes airstrike carried out on May 13, Israel says it eliminated senior Hamas military commander Muhammad Sinwar inside a tunnel beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza — a strike the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claim was guided by precise intelligence and aimed at disrupting Hamas’s leadership chain.
The strike, confirmed by Israeli defense officials on Saturday, also killed Muhammad Shabana, commander of Hamas’s Rafah Brigade, and Mahdi Quara, commander of the South Khan Younis Battalion.
“The terrorists were eliminated while operating in an underground command and control center under the European Hospital in Khan Younis, deliberately endangering the civilian population in and around the hospital,” the IDF and Israel’s Shin Bet security agency said in a joint statement.
According to Israeli intelligence, the tunnel strike targeted a secret high-level Hamas meeting where commanders had gathered to deliberate on ceasefire talks and hostage negotiations.
The IDF said it had initially held off due to concerns that hostages — who, according to reports, Sinwar often kept close — may have been present. But once intelligence confirmed no hostages were nearby, fighter jets launched the assault.
50 bombs, 30 seconds: Strikes on European Hospital
In just 30 seconds, Israeli jets dropped more than 50 munitions, hitting the underground Hamas facility, while avoiding direct damage to the hospital structure above, the IDF said. “Extensive intelligence measures” were used to minimize harm to civilians, the statement added.
Still, the strike resulted in significant civilian casualties. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reported 16 people killed and over 70 wounded in the bombing. Following the initial strike, the area was hit multiple times again to prevent Hamas operatives from attempting rescue efforts in the tunnel.
Muhammad Sinwar, younger brother of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, had been Israel’s most wanted man for months. After the July 2024 assassination of military chief Muhammad Deif and the October combat death of Yahya Sinwar, Muhammad assumed control of Hamas’s military operations in the Gaza Strip.
The IDF described him as a “key architect” of the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, and as “among the most senior and long-serving members of Hamas’s military wing.” Defense Minister Yoav Gallant had earlier called Sinwar an impediment to ceasefire progress, accusing him of obstructing hostage release efforts.
Israel takes down 'executer' of October 7 attacks
Also killed in the strike was Muhammad Shabana, who Israeli officials say “was one of the planners and executors of the October 7 massacre and oversaw the captivity of many hostages in southern Gaza.”
With Sinwar’s death, command reportedly passed to Izz al-Din Haddad, leader of Hamas’s Gaza City Brigade. However, the impact on ongoing ceasefire negotiations remains uncertain.
Following confirmation of the strike, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a warning to remaining Hamas leaders.
“Now it is official: The murderer Muhammad Sinwar has been eliminated… and he was sent to meet his brother at the gates of hell,” Katz said. “Izz al-Din Haddad in Gaza and Khalil al-Hayya abroad, and all their partners in crime, you are next in line.”
The European Hospital strike marks another phase in Israel’s campaign to decimate Hamas’s leadership structure. Yet, the choice of target — a hospital complex — and the resulting civilian toll are likely to draw further international scrutiny as the war grinds on.
(With inputs from agencies)
The strike, confirmed by Israeli defense officials on Saturday, also killed Muhammad Shabana, commander of Hamas’s Rafah Brigade, and Mahdi Quara, commander of the South Khan Younis Battalion.
“The terrorists were eliminated while operating in an underground command and control center under the European Hospital in Khan Younis, deliberately endangering the civilian population in and around the hospital,” the IDF and Israel’s Shin Bet security agency said in a joint statement.
According to Israeli intelligence, the tunnel strike targeted a secret high-level Hamas meeting where commanders had gathered to deliberate on ceasefire talks and hostage negotiations.
The IDF said it had initially held off due to concerns that hostages — who, according to reports, Sinwar often kept close — may have been present. But once intelligence confirmed no hostages were nearby, fighter jets launched the assault.
50 bombs, 30 seconds: Strikes on European Hospital
In just 30 seconds, Israeli jets dropped more than 50 munitions, hitting the underground Hamas facility, while avoiding direct damage to the hospital structure above, the IDF said. “Extensive intelligence measures” were used to minimize harm to civilians, the statement added.
Still, the strike resulted in significant civilian casualties. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reported 16 people killed and over 70 wounded in the bombing. Following the initial strike, the area was hit multiple times again to prevent Hamas operatives from attempting rescue efforts in the tunnel.
Muhammad Sinwar, younger brother of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, had been Israel’s most wanted man for months. After the July 2024 assassination of military chief Muhammad Deif and the October combat death of Yahya Sinwar, Muhammad assumed control of Hamas’s military operations in the Gaza Strip.
The IDF described him as a “key architect” of the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, and as “among the most senior and long-serving members of Hamas’s military wing.” Defense Minister Yoav Gallant had earlier called Sinwar an impediment to ceasefire progress, accusing him of obstructing hostage release efforts.
Israel takes down 'executer' of October 7 attacks
Also killed in the strike was Muhammad Shabana, who Israeli officials say “was one of the planners and executors of the October 7 massacre and oversaw the captivity of many hostages in southern Gaza.”
With Sinwar’s death, command reportedly passed to Izz al-Din Haddad, leader of Hamas’s Gaza City Brigade. However, the impact on ongoing ceasefire negotiations remains uncertain.
Following confirmation of the strike, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a warning to remaining Hamas leaders.
“Now it is official: The murderer Muhammad Sinwar has been eliminated… and he was sent to meet his brother at the gates of hell,” Katz said. “Izz al-Din Haddad in Gaza and Khalil al-Hayya abroad, and all their partners in crime, you are next in line.”
The European Hospital strike marks another phase in Israel’s campaign to decimate Hamas’s leadership structure. Yet, the choice of target — a hospital complex — and the resulting civilian toll are likely to draw further international scrutiny as the war grinds on.
(With inputs from agencies)
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