Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have “probably” killed Mohammed Sinwar, the de facto Hamas leader in Gaza.
“We have eliminated tens of thousands of terrorists. We eliminated the leaders of the murderers Deif, Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar and probably Mohammed Sinwar,” Netanyahu said during his first press conference in months.
The Israeli military targeted Sinwar in a major airstrike on the European Hospital in Khan Younis.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health said the strike killed 28 Palestinians and injured more than 50 others.
Mohammed Sinwar is the brother of Yahya Sinwar, the former Hamas leader killed by Israeli forces in October.
If confirmed, his death would mark another major blow to Hamas’ leadership.
However, the group’s grip on power in Gaza remains unbroken. CNN has contacted Hamas for comment.
Netanyahu made it clear that Israel’s military operation in Gaza would not end soon.
“Our forces are capturing more and more territory in Gaza. At the end of the operation all areas of the Strip will be under Israeli security control,” he said.
He said Israel might agree to a temporary ceasefire — but only in exchange for the release of hostages.
A permanent end to the war, he insisted, depends on several conditions: Hamas must be removed, Gaza must be demilitarized, and a U.S.-backed emigration plan must be implemented.
“Gaza will be completely demilitarized, and we will carry out the Trump plan, which is so correct and so revolutionary.
“It says something simple: The residents of Gaza who wish to leave – will be able to leave.
“Anyone who calls on us to stop the war before these goals are achieved is calling on us to leave Hamas in power,” Netanyahu said.
Trump’s controversial plan, introduced in February, proposed a U.S. takeover of Gaza.
It suggested relocating Palestinians who choose to leave and transforming the territory into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
The proposal marked a dramatic shift from decades of U.S. support for a two-state solution and drew criticism across the region.
Netanyahu also commented on tensions with Iran.
He said Israel is in “full coordination” with the United States as the Trump administration pursues a new nuclear deal with Tehran.
“The deal would have to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and stop the enrichment of uranium.
“The state of Israel maintains the right to defend itself against a regime that threatens to destroy it,” he said.
(CNN)
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