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Israeli forces have bombed the Gaza European Hospital in Khan Yunis, reportedly in an attempt to assassinate senior Hamas figure Mohammed Sinwar, resulting in the deaths of dozens of Palestinians.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry and Civil Defence teams, the Israeli airstrike killed at least 34 people — six inside the hospital and 28 more in a nearby residential property owned by the Al-Afghani family. The fatalities were caused by intense fire belts around the hospital and its surrounding areas.
Israeli media reported that the strike aimed to eliminate Sinwar, the brother of Yahya Sinwar, the former Hamas chief in Gaza. The Israeli military and domestic intelligence agency Shin Bet later confirmed targeting what they described as a Hamas command and control compound allegedly operating beneath the hospital.
Israel’s Army Radio called the operation a “rare opportunity” to assassinate Mohammed Sinwar, who they claim has recently assumed leadership of the group’s military wing following the incapacitation of long-time commander Muhammad Deif. While officials said the site suffered “significant damage”, the fate of Sinwar remains unconfirmed.
Israeli security sources stated that Sinwar was believed to be inside the “underground facility” at the time of the strike. However, they admitted that while intelligence efforts had been made to confirm no Israeli captives were being held there, they could not offer “100% certainty.”
Sinwar has long been regarded as a key Hamas figure, allegedly involved in planning major operations, including the 2006 capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. He is also accused by Israel of opposing current efforts for a prisoner swap deal.
Hamas has not issued any official response to the bombing or Israel’s claims about Sinwar.
The attack was one of several carried out across the Gaza Strip on the same day. Palestinian medical sources confirmed that at least 48 people were killed in total by Israeli strikes on Wednesday.
Since the start of the Israeli bombardment in October 2023, more than 52,900 Palestinians — predominantly women and children — have been killed, according to local health authorities in Gaza.
