Mohammad Sinwar: The ghost commander behind Hamas’s deadliest strikes

Mohammad’s rise through the group’s ranks was marked by his role as a hardliner and seasoned battlefield strategist. As reported by Reuters, Sinwar played a key role in planning and executing the October 7, 2023, attack—described as Israel’s worst security failure in decades. He had previously been linked to the 2006 cross-border raid that led to the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was later released in a prisoner swap that freed over 1,000 Palestinians, including his brother Yahya.

Hamas Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar during an anti-Israel rally in Gaza City, May 24, 2021. (REUTERS)

He was rarely seen in public and seldom spoke to the media. Born on September 15, 1975, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, he grew up in a family originally from Asqalan (modern-day Ashkelon), who became refugees during the 1948 war, an event Palestinians refer to as the Nakba.

He was educated in schools run by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which has long had a strained relationship with Israel. Influenced by his brother Yahya, a former member of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mohammad joined Hamas soon after its founding in 1987 during the First Intifada.

By 2005, Sinwar was leading the Hamas brigade in Khan Younis, one of the group’s largest and most capable units. It has been responsible for a wide range of military operations, including rocket attacks, tunnel infiltration, and surveillance of Israeli troop movements. According to Reuters, his unit also participated in the 2006 abduction of Shalit, which was carried out by elite Hamas commandos under his leadership.

A screengrab shows according to the Israeli Army, Hamas Gaza chief Mohammed Sinwar, taken from a handout video, released December 17, 2023. Israeli Army/Handout via REUTERS

Sinwar was considered one of the “ghosts” of Hamas, consistently outmaneuvering Israeli intelligence services. Reuters reports that he had survived multiple assassination attempts, including remote-controlled explosives and bombings targeting his home. On one occasion, Hamas operatives discovered a bomb disguised as a brick along a cemetery path Sinwar was meant to take. In another incident in 2003, an explosive device planted in his home’s wall was found and neutralised before detonation.

His close associations with top Hamas military leaders, such as Mohammed Deif and Marwan Issa, further consolidated his influence. Despite Israel’s efforts, Sinwar maintained a low profile, focusing on strategy and operations rather than public appearances. Yahya Sinwar’s death in 2024—captured in footage showing him throwing a piece of wood at an Israeli drone before being killed—marked a dramatic moment that led to Mohammad’s rise, according to Reuters.

While Hamas has yet to confirm Sinwar’s death, his absence could reshape Hamas’s military command structure. Reports suggest Izz al-Din Haddad, a key figure currently overseeing operations in northern Gaza, may take over the group’s armed wing. However, it remains unclear how Sinwar’s elimination would affect decision-making within Hamas, particularly regarding ceasefire negotiations and the influence of exiled leaders in the group’s political bureau.

(With Inputs from Reuters)

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