Hamas has officially confirmed the deaths of five senior leaders, delivering one of the most severe blows to the terror organization since the war in Gaza began, according to multiple reports.
In a statement released this week by its armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas acknowledged that Mohammed al-Sinwar — the brother of former Hamas leader Yahya al-Sinwar — was killed during Israeli military operations in Gaza, according to The Jerusalem Post.
Al-Sinwar had risen rapidly through Hamas’ ranks and was widely viewed as a central figure in the group’s wartime command structure following the elimination of several top commanders. The Israeli military announced in May that he was killed in an airstrike targeting a Hamas command center located beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis.
Hamas also confirmed the death of Abu Obeida, the longtime masked spokesman for the al-Qassam Brigades who became the public face of the group’s military wing during the war, according to Reuters. In its statement, Hamas revealed for the first time that his real name was Hudhayfa Samir Abdullah al-Kahlout.
Israel had previously announced that Abu Obeida was killed in an Israeli strike on Gaza City in late August. This week’s announcement marked the first official confirmation from Hamas itself.
Among the other senior figures confirmed dead was Raed Saad, a high-ranking al-Qassam Brigades commander, The Times of Israel reported. Israel announced on Dec. 13 that Saad was killed in a targeted strike after months of tracking his movements through Gaza’s extensive tunnel network.
Israeli security officials described Saad as one of the principal planners of the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel, during which approximately 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 were taken hostage.
Hamas also acknowledged the deaths of Mohammed Shabanah, the head of its Rafah Brigade, and Hakam al-Issa, a veteran commander and one of the founders of the al-Qassam Brigades. Both men were previously reported by Israel to have been killed in separate airstrikes earlier this year, with al-Issa dying during attacks on Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood.
The confirmations came despite a ceasefire that took effect in October.
Speaking Monday after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, President Trump issued a warning to Hamas, saying the group must disarm or face serious consequences.
“They’re going to be given a very short period of time to disarm,” Trump said.
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No Peace, until every one of the Hamas killers are dead.
The whole world knows that!
There will be no peace until hamas, Islamic jihad etc are disarmed and neutered. If they are allowed to continue they will rearm, retarin and there will not be peace. Israel was denied a victory and peace in 1956,1967,1973, 1982 and in smaller conflicts and as a reult their enemies have rearmed and continued their war against Israel.