Overview

• On May 31, the IDF announced it had eliminated another Hamas leader described as 'a Sinwar too,' without specifying if the figure was Muhammad Sinwar.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proclaimed on May 13 that an airstrike killed Muhammad Sinwar, who took over after Yahya Sinwar’s October 2024 death.
• Muhammad Sinwar, dubbed 'the shadow' by Israeli forces, rose to prominence after the 2006 Gilad Shalit abduction and led major Gaza operations and recruitment efforts.
• Following Yahya Sinwar’s death, Israel placed a $300,000 bounty on Muhammad Sinwar as one of Gaza’s most wanted militant figures.
• US-mediated hostages-for-prisoners ceasefire talks continue as the conflict in Gaza has surpassed 54,000 Palestinian casualties and tightened humanitarian access.