Israeli minister says brother of al-Sinwar likely killed in Gaza

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz believes it is likely that the brother of late Hamas leader Yehya al-Sinwar was killed in an attack in the Gaza Strip a few days ago, according to media reports on Sunday.

"Although there is no official confirmation yet, all indications are that Mohammed al-Sinwar has been eliminated," the news website ynet quoted Katz as saying at a committee meeting.

Mohammed al-Sinwar is the younger brother of Yehya al-Sinwar, who is considered the mastermind behind the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel and killed by the Israeli military in Gaza in October last year. He became head of Hamas' armed wing after the death of Mohammed Deif in July.

Following an Israeli attack on a hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, Israeli media reported that the attack was aimed at Mohammed al-Sinwar, but officials had refused to comment.

According to hospital reports, several people were killed in the strike. The Israeli military said it had conducted a "precise attack on Hamas terrorists in a command and control centre."

According to an unconfirmed Arab media report, the body of Mohammed al-Sinwar was found in a tunnel in Khan Younis. The Israeli military was unable to confirm this when asked on Sunday morning.