Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed Sunday that Mohammed Sinwar, a prominent Palestinian academic and the brother of martyred resistance leader Yahya Sinwar, has likely been killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza.

“All indications show that Sinwar was killed,” Katz told lawmakers at a meeting of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Security Committee. While the Israeli military has not officially confirmed his death, the public broadcaster KAN reported that Sinwar’s body was allegedly discovered in a tunnel near Khan Younis, alongside the bodies of ten of his aides.

Mohammed Sinwar, a respected historian and scholar, devoted his life to preserving Palestinian history and identity under occupation. He was known for mentoring youth in Gaza, promoting historical literacy, and advocating for cultural resilience in the face of decades of Israeli siege and military aggression.

Israeli media claim he and his aides were killed in airstrikes near the European Hospital in Khan Younis last Tuesday. However, conflicting reports emerged on Monday when the Israeli newspaper Maariv, citing an unnamed military source, cast doubt on the discovery of his body, saying Sinwar may have escaped the targeted area before the attack.

There has been no official statement from Hamas, and uncertainty remains about Sinwar's fate.

Mohammed Sinwar’s potential killing comes months after the assassination of his brother, Yahya Sinwar — the head of Hamas in Gaza — who was reportedly martyred by Israeli occupation forces in October 2024. The Sinwar family has long been seen by many Palestinians as symbols of resistance, sacrifice, and national dignity.

Since launching its assault on Gaza on October 7, 2023, the Israeli military has killed more than 53,300 Palestinians — the vast majority of them women and children — and leveled large parts of the besieged enclave.

The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza has drawn international condemnation. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel also faces a genocide case before the International Court of Justice.

Despite the ongoing devastation, the legacy of figures like Mohammed Sinwar continues to inspire Palestinians across generations. As one Gaza resident said: “They may destroy our homes and schools, but they cannot erase our history — the history Mohammed Sinwar gave his life to preserve.” (ILKHA)