What to Know About Mohammad Sinwar, the Hamas Leader Targeted by Israel
Mohammed Sinwar, born on September 16, 1975, in the Khan Yunis refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, is a prominent figure within Hamas, the Palestinian militant organization. As the younger brother of Yahya Sinwar, a former leader of Hamas, Mohammed has played a significant role in the group’s military and political activities.
Joining Hamas in 1991, Mohammed quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the commander of Hamas’ Khan Younis Brigade in 2005. He is notably recognized for orchestrating the 2006 abduction of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, an operation that led to a significant prisoner exchange in 2011, which included the release of his brother Yahya Sinwar. This event underscored Mohammed’s strategic importance within Hamas and his deep involvement in its military operations.
Throughout his career, Mohammed Sinwar has been the target of multiple assassination attempts by Israeli forces. By May 2021, he had survived six such attempts, earning him the nickname “the living dead” within Hamas. These attempts highlight the high level of threat he posed to Israeli security and the lengths to which Israel has gone to neutralize him. Despite these efforts, Sinwar’s resilience and ability to evade capture have solidified his status as a key figure in Hamas’s leadership.
In October 2024, following the death of his brother Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed assumed leadership of Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing. His ascension to these roles marked a significant shift in Hamas’s leadership structure and strategy. Under his command, Hamas has continued to engage in military operations against Israel, maintaining the organization’s longstanding stance in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Sinwar’s leadership has been characterized by a focus on military strength and strategic operations. His role in planning and executing attacks against Israel has been central to Hamas’s ongoing resistance efforts. However, his tenure has also been marked by the challenges of leading an organization under constant threat and the complexities of navigating the political and military landscape of the Gaza Strip.
As of May 2025, Mohammed Sinwar remains a central figure in Hamas’s leadership. His actions and decisions continue to influence the dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with his leadership style and strategic choices being closely monitored by both regional and international observers. The ongoing conflict and the challenges faced by Hamas under his command reflect the broader complexities of the situation in Gaza and the enduring tensions in the Middle East.