Israel optimistic Hamas military leader Mohammed Sinwar was killed in massive Khan Younis strike

The Israeli security establishment is optimistic that Mohammed Sinwar, the younger brother of slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, was eliminated during the massive bombardment of an underground facility in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, on Tuesday evening.

Following the strike, Israel Defense Forces identified two rocket launches at Ashkelon and one at Sderot. Air defenses intercepted two rockets and the third landed in open areas, the military said.

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terror group took responsibility for the first rocket fire from Gaza since April 13. Since the resumption of fighting, 30 rockets have been launched at Israel from the Gaza Strip.

The reaction to the possible assassination of the most senior Hamas leader remaining in Gaza demonstrates the degradation of the terror group’s military capabilities.

Within Israel’s security establishment, Sinwar was designated an “ace,” meaning that as soon as intelligence about his whereabouts was discovered, the entire system swung into action immediately to assassinate him.

According to Ynet News, the operation proceeded so swiftly that the United States was only notified after the fact.

As part of the quick preparations, all possible checks were made to ensure there were no Israeli hostages in the vicinity, security officials clarified.

The scope of the strike was reportedly comparable to the one that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, with the Israeli Air Force (IAF) dropping over 40 bunker-penetrating bombs, totaling about one ton.

According to Palestinian reports, the IAF continued striking the compound and all nearby exits around the European Hospital, including targeted strikes intended to keep first responders away.

The Gaza Health Ministry, controlled by Hamas, said at least six people were killed and more than 40 wounded in the attack.

“Whoever was there is dead, there is no way out of it,” a security official told Ynet.

“It is too early to know the results of the strike, also due to the fact that the location that was attacked was underground. But definitely, if it succeeded – it is an achievement against Hamas also in the strategic and moral aspect, and certainly in the context of the negotiations,” added an informed source.

Cabinet member Ze'ev Elkin told Army Radio: “If [Sinwar] is eliminated, I believe it will make it easier to reach an agreement. He has been a problematic factor in all negotiations for a long time.”

The younger Sinwar, considered even more extreme and hardline than his brother Yahya, assumed leadership of Hamas’ military wing and other key responsibilities following the assassination last Oct. 13.

According to Israeli media outlets, the IDF attempted to kill Mohammed Sinwar six times over the past decades.

Most assessments agree that if Sinwar is dead, his position will be taken by Izz al-Din al-Haddad, current commander of the Gaza City Brigade and Hamas’ military wing in northern Gaza.