Israel Says Hamas Commander's Body Found in Tunnel Beneath Gaza Hospital

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Israeli military announced on Sunday that it had discovered the body of Hamas military commander Mohammed Sinwar inside an underground tunnel beneath a hospital in southern Gaza. The discovery followed a targeted operation last month.

According to Israeli Defense Forces spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin, the body of another high-ranking Hamas commander, Mohammad Shabana, who led the group’s Rafah Brigade, was also found at the same location, along with several other Palestinian fighters whose identities are still being confirmed.

As reported by CNA, Israeli forces escorted a small group of foreign journalists to the tunnel site located beneath the Eropa Hospital in Khan Younis. Defrin described the facility as Hamas’s main command and control center.

"This is another example of the cynical use by Hamas, using civilians as human shields, using civilian infrastructure, hospitals, again and again," said Defrin.

"We found underneath the hospital, right under the emergency room, a compound of a few rooms. In one of them we found, we killed Mohammed Sinwar," he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously announced Sinwar’s death last month. Defrin added that DNA testing has now confirmed his identity.

Hamas has yet to comment on the reported deaths of Sinwar and Shabana.

Mohammed Sinwar was the brother of Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas who, according to Israeli officials, orchestrated the October 2023 attack that killed around 1,200 people and triggered the full-scale Israeli invasion of Gaza.

Shabana was regarded as one of Hamas’s most experienced commanders in southern Gaza. He was a key figure in the development of the extensive tunnel network beneath the city of Rafah, which was used to conduct ambushes and cross-border operations.

The convoy to Khan Younis, organized by the Israeli military, revealed widespread destruction. Entire buildings lay in ruins, and rubble lined the streets.

Throughout the conflict, Israeli forces have raided or surrounded numerous hospitals, alleging that Hamas fighters have used medical facilities to hide and conduct operations. Hamas has repeatedly denied these accusations. While Israel has presented evidence in some instances, several of its claims remain unverified.

Defrin said the military operation near Eropa Hospital was planned carefully to avoid damaging the facility. A large trench was dug in front of the emergency room entrance, leading to a narrow concrete tunnel, which Israeli officials said was used as a Hamas hideout.

Weapons, ammunition, cash, and documents were found at the site and are being analyzed for intelligence purposes, according to the Israeli military.

"We will dismantle Hamas because we cannot live with this terror organisation right in our backyard, right across our border," Defrin said.

According to Gaza’s health authorities, more than 54,880 Palestinians have been killed during Israel’s ongoing military campaign. The United Nations has warned that most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents are at risk of famine.

Editor’s Choice: Gaza-Bound Aid Ship Madleen Seized by Israeli Military; Activists to be Deported

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News

Iran Declares No Sanctions Relief in US Nuclear Deal Proposal

38 menit lalu

Gaza-Bound Aid Ship Madleen Seized by Israeli Military; Activists to be Deported

3 jam lalu

Israeli Forces Kidnap Activists from Aid Ship Bound for Gaza

5 jam lalu

Iran Claims to Hold Classified Israeli Nuclear Documents

16 jam lalu

KBRI Beirut Shares Qurbani Meat to Palestinian Refugees and Indonesians

1 hari lalu

Over 130 Media Organizations Urge Opening of Gaza Strip for Foreign Journalists

1 hari lalu

80,000 Palestinians Gather for Eid al-Adha Prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque

2 hari lalu

Trump Administration Warns Columbia University on Student Safety Concerns

2 hari lalu

Eid al-Adha in Gaza: No Meat, No Joy, Only Survival Under Israeli Blockade

2 hari lalu

Leaked EU Document Alleges Israeli War Crimes in Gaza

2 hari lalu