Israel carried out targeted airstrikes aimed at removing Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar in the Gaza Strip.
According to local media such as The Times of Israel and The Jerusalem Post, the Israel Defense Forces struck a Hamas command and control facility located underground at the European Hospital in Khan Younis in southern Gaza on the 13th (local time).
Videos posted on social media show Israeli bombers dropping more than 9 bombs on the hospital. Footage also captured the surrounding area engulfed in smoke immediately after the explosions.
An Israeli government official noted that the target of this attack was Muhammad Sinwar.
Sinwar is one of the remaining top commanders of Hamas who survived the Gaza war that has lasted for 18 months.
Reportedly 50 years old, he is the top political leader of Hamas and the brother of Yahya Sinwar, who was the commander during the surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
He took over as the leader of Gaza after his brother was killed by Israeli forces last October.
At that time, the Hamas Political Bureau intended to transition to a collective leadership system, but the armed factions within Gaza acted independently under Muhammad's command.
According to The New York Times (NYT), Muhammad is a hardliner who has refused compromises in ceasefire negotiations. He has staunchly opposed the disarmament demanded by Israel and is reported to have rejected proposals for allowing leader asylum.
Israeli officials explained the intention behind the attack as aimed at removing an uncompromising figure in negotiations.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) projected that eliminating Muhammad would result in a significant military victory for Israel.
Experts predicted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could use this opportunity to reach a ceasefire agreement and declare victory.
The NYT observed, "If Muhammad is dead, Hamas's willingness to compromise may weaken in the short term, but it may become more flexible in the long term."
After the death of Muhammad's brother Yahya last October, Hamas vowed to continue the struggle, though they referenced that they had agreed to the first ceasefire plan three months later.
The Gaza Strip's health ministry, governed by Hamas, announced that 16 individuals died and more than 70 were injured in this airstrike, but did not mention Muhammad's status.
The Israeli military is analyzing the success of the operation.