Hamas Confirms Deaths of Five Senior Leaders in Israeli Operations
Hamas has confirmed the deaths of five senior leaders in Israeli military operations in Gaza, according to the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. Among those killed was Mohammed al-Sinwar, brother of former Hamas leader Yahya al-Sinwar, who held a senior wartime command role. An Israeli May airstrike beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis previously claimed his death.
Also confirmed dead by Hamas was Abu Obeida (Hudhayfa Samir Abdullah al-Kahlout), the longtime masked spokesperson of the al-Qassam Brigades. Israel had announced he was killed in late August in Gaza City. Raed Saad, a high-ranking al-Qassam Brigades commander and one of the principal planners of the October 7, 2023, attack, was reported killed by Israel on December 13.
Mohammed Shabanah, head of the Rafah Brigade, was killed in separate Israeli airstrikes earlier this year, while veteran commander and founder of the al-Qassam Brigades, Hakam al-Issa, died in attacks on the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City.
These confirmations come despite a ceasefire that took effect in October. Following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, former President Trump urged Hamas to disarm and indicated that the next phase of peace negotiations could proceed quickly if Hamas lays down its weapons.
