Gaza: Israeli occupation forces carried out a deadly airstrike on the Gaza European Hospital, east of Khan Yunis, in an attempt to assassinate senior Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar, according to Israeli media reports.
The Health Ministry and Civil Defence in Gaza confirmed that 34 Palestinians were killed in the attack. Among them, six died inside the hospital, while 28 others were killed in a neighbouring residential building belonging to the Al-Afghani family. The casualties were caused by a series of “fire belt” strikes targeting the hospital and its surroundings.
The Israeli army acknowledged responsibility for the bombing, claiming it targeted members of the Hamas resistance group, including Sinwar. In a joint statement, the Israeli military and the Shin Bet intelligence agency said the operation struck a Hamas “command and control compound” allegedly built beneath the hospital.
Israeli Army Radio described the strike as part of a “rare opportunity” to eliminate Sinwar, who is the brother of Yahya Sinwar, the former Hamas leader in Gaza. However, the outcome of the operation remains unconfirmed.
Israeli security sources stated that intelligence assessments suggested Mohammed Sinwar was inside the targeted site at the time of the strike. They noted that the bombing caused “significant damage” to the underground infrastructure and added that if Sinwar was present, “it is unlikely he survived.”
The sources also claimed that “great efforts” were made to ensure no Israeli captives were at the site before the strike, though they admitted there was no “100% guarantee.”
Mohammed Sinwar is considered a key Hamas figure who reportedly assumed command of the group’s military wing after Israel’s targeting of Muhammad Deif. He is believed to have played leading roles in several past operations, including the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Israeli media portray him as a major opponent of any prisoner exchange deal.
So far, Hamas has not issued an official response regarding the strike or the claims surrounding Sinwar’s presence.
The total death toll from Israeli strikes across Gaza on the same day rose to at least 48, according to local medical sources.
Since the beginning of Israel’s offensive on Gaza in October 2023, more than 52,900 Palestinians—mostly women and children—have been killed.
Meanwhile, global concern over Israel’s repeated targeting of medical facilities continues to grow, with health officials warning of catastrophic consequences for Gaza’s collapsing healthcare system.
