Israeli officials have been cautious about discussing the fate of Mohammed Sinwar, a key Hamas leader. Following an airstrike on May 13, the Israeli military did not confirm his status, only stating that the attack targeted Hamas militants in an underground command center beneath the European hospital. However, reports from Israeli media indicated that Sinwar was the main target of the strike.
Five days after the attack, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz informed parliament that while there was no official confirmation, intelligence suggested that Sinwar had been killed. The European hospital, which was hit during the airstrike, has been out of service since the incident.
CCTV footage from the hospital shows people, including children and women, in the courtyard moments before the explosion. The blast left a large crater in the area. Medics reported that they received no prior warning from Israeli authorities about the strike, and the hospital was not included in any evacuation orders issued since the military resumed operations against Hamas on March 18, following a two-month ceasefire.
UN human rights chief Volker Türk condemned the killing of civilians, stating that it is both tragic and unacceptable. He emphasized that Israel must adhere to international law and protect civilian lives, even when targeting military objectives.
In a related development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke about the ongoing hostage situation involving Hamas. He stated that efforts are focused on bringing back all hostages, both living and deceased. According to Netanyahu, 20 hostages are confirmed alive, while up to 38 others are believed to have died. Earlier this month, he mentioned uncertainty regarding the condition of three hostages previously thought to be alive.
Netanyahu also announced a significant change in Israel’s approach toward Hamas, claiming that the country has taken control of food distribution in the Gaza Strip. This new system, supported by the U.S. and the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, uses American security contractors and bypasses the United Nations, which has criticized the move as contrary to humanitarian principles.