Cairo
Hamas has confirmed the death of its Gaza military commander Mohammad Sinwar, several months after Israel claimed to have killed him in an airstrike in May 2025. The militant group honoured him in an official photo release, calling him and other deceased leaders “martyrs,” but did not reveal further details about the timing or circumstances of his death.
Sinwar’s rise in Hamas
Mohammad Sinwar, the younger brother of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, rose to prominence after his brother was killed in October 2024. He soon became the military commander of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the group’s main armed wing, consolidating control over its operations in Gaza.
Transition of leadership
Following his death, Sinwar’s close aide Izz al-Din al-Haddad, who has been leading operations in northern Gaza, is expected to take over the military command of Hamas across the enclave. His succession indicates that the group is aiming for continuity despite the loss of a top commander.
Impact on the Gaza conflict
The confirmation of Sinwar’s death comes amid ongoing Israeli strikes and heavy fighting in Gaza. His death is seen as a major blow to Hamas’s leadership structure, but analysts note that the group has maintained a pattern of quickly replacing commanders to sustain its military operations.
Conclusion
With Mohammad Sinwar gone and Izz al-Din al-Haddad likely to succeed him, Hamas faces both a leadership transition and the challenge of sustaining its resistance while grappling with mounting losses. The development signals a new phase in the conflict, with potential implications for the balance of power in Gaza.