Hamas Confirms Deaths of Senior Leaders
Reports indicate that Hamas has confirmed the deaths of five high-ranking leaders, marking a significant setback for the organization since the start of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The armed wing of Hamas, known as the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, stated in a recent announcement that Mohammed al-Sinwar, brother of former leader Yahya al-Sinwar, was killed during an Israeli military operation in Gaza. This was reported by various media outlets.
Al-Sinwar had climbed the ranks within the organization and was viewed as a key player in Hamas’s leadership during the war, especially after several other commanders had died.
In May, the Israeli military indicated that he had been killed in an airstrike on a Hamas command center located in the basement of the European Hospital in Khan Yunis.
Although Hamas did not specify the date of his death, they confirmed that it took place earlier this year.
Hamas also reported the death of Abu Obeidah, a long-time spokesman for the al-Qassam Brigades, who had been the public face of the group’s military operations. They revealed for the first time that his real identity is Hudayfa Samir Abdullah al-Qalut.
An Israeli statement added that Abu Obeidah was killed during an attack on Gaza City in late August. This marked the first official acknowledgment of his death from Hamas.
Raed Saad, a prominent commander of the al-Qassam Brigades, was also confirmed dead. Israeli sources reported that he died in a targeted assault on December 13, after being tracked for months through Gaza’s tunnel networks.
Israeli officials highlighted that Saad played a crucial role in planning the October 7, 2023, attack, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and over 250 hostages.
In addition, Hamas confirmed the deaths of Mohammed Shabana, commander of the Rafah Brigades, and Hakam al-Issa, a founding member of the al-Qassam Brigades. Reports suggest both were killed in separate airstrikes earlier this year, with al-Issa dying in an assault on the Sabra district of Gaza City.
This acknowledgment of their deaths comes despite a ceasefire that took effect in October.
After a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago estate, President Trump warned that Hamas would face severe repercussions if it failed to disarm soon. He added, “They will have very little time to disarm,” suggesting the next phase of a peace plan could advance quickly if Hamas complies.
