The Israeli military has confirmed the recovery of the body of Mohammed Sinwar, a top Hamas military commander, from a tunnel beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.

In a statement on Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Sinwar was killed along with Muhammad Shabaneh, commander of Hamas’ Rafah Brigade, in a targeted operation on May 13. The raid, conducted jointly by the military and Shin Bet intelligence agency, involved heavy airstrikes and is still ongoing.

The bodies were discovered during a search of the tunnel complex, which also yielded items and intelligence materials linked to the two Hamas leaders. Additional bodies were recovered at the site, and authorities are currently working to identify them.

Mohammed Sinwar, 49, was described by the IDF as one of Hamas’ most experienced military commanders and a key planner of the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. He is the younger brother of Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’ former Gaza chief, who was killed by Israeli forces in October 2024.

The Israeli military had first announced Sinwar’s death in an airstrike in late May. Gaza’s health authorities reported that the same strike killed at least six people and injured 40 others.

Meanwhile, the conflict continues to escalate. According to Gaza’s health authorities, Israeli attacks have killed 54,880 Palestinians and injured over 126,000 since the war began in October 2023.

The ongoing military operations highlight the intensity of Israel’s campaign to eliminate Hamas leadership, even as international pressure mounts for a ceasefire.