Israel says it has discovered physique of Hamas army chief Mohammed Sinwar

[ad_1] <img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/b4e6/live/8171eb10-44a3-11f0-835b-310c7b938e84.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/b4e6/live/8171eb10-44a3-11f0-835b-310c7b938e84.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/b4e6/live/8171eb10-44a3-11f0-835b-310c7b938e84.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/b4e6/live/8171eb10-44a3-11f0-835b-310c7b938e84.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/b4e6/live/8171eb10-44a3-11f0-835b-310c7b938e84.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/b4e6/live/8171eb10-44a3-11f0-835b-310c7b938e84.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/b4e6/live/8171eb10-44a3-11f0-835b-310c7b938e84.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/b4e6/live/8171eb10-44a3-11f0-835b-310c7b938e84.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="IDF Handout from video which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said showed Mohammed Sinwar travelling in a car through a Hamas underground tunnel in the Gaza Strip (19 December 2023)" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> IDF The Israeli army launched a video in December 2023 that it stated confirmed Mohammed Sinwar being pushed by a Hamas underground tunnel

The Israeli army has stated it has situated and recognized the physique of Mohammed Sinwar, the army chief of Palestinian armed group Hamas in Gaza.

His physique was found in a tunnel beneath the European Hospital within the southern metropolis of Khan Younis, the Israel Protection Forces (IDF) stated on Sunday.

It stated it had verified the physique's id by DNA checks - although Hamas has not publicly confirmed his dying.

Sinwar, 49, was killed in an air strike on 13 Could, which the Hamas-run civil defence company stated killed 28 folks and injured dozens.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/48a2/live/31e141e0-4494-11f0-b6e6-4ddb91039da1.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/48a2/live/31e141e0-4494-11f0-b6e6-4ddb91039da1.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/48a2/live/31e141e0-4494-11f0-b6e6-4ddb91039da1.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/48a2/live/31e141e0-4494-11f0-b6e6-4ddb91039da1.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/48a2/live/31e141e0-4494-11f0-b6e6-4ddb91039da1.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/48a2/live/31e141e0-4494-11f0-b6e6-4ddb91039da1.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/48a2/live/31e141e0-4494-11f0-b6e6-4ddb91039da1.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/48a2/live/31e141e0-4494-11f0-b6e6-4ddb91039da1.png.webp" loading="lazy" alt="IDF A still taken from footage of an underground tunnel structure. Wires can be seen running along the concrete slab walls, with items of clothing in the background." class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> IDF The IDF stated Sinwar's physique was discovered alongside others in a tunnel beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis

Sinwar's physique was discovered alongside that of Mohammad Sabaneh, the commander of Hamas's Rafah Brigade, the IDF stated.

It added that "a number of gadgets belonging to Sinwar and Sabaneh had been situated, together with extra intelligence findings that had been transferred for additional investigation".

The IDF stated different our bodies had been discovered, which it was seeking to determine.

On Sunday, the IDF took a small group of overseas journalists into Gaza to Khan Younis to indicate them the tunnel.

It additionally printed video of the doorway to the tunnel, which is simply in entrance of the European Hospital. The footage exhibits an extended, slender underground hall that results in a number of rooms.

IDF spokesperson Brig Gen Effie Defrin stated that in one of many rooms they discovered the Sinwar's physique.

"That is one other instance of the cynical use by Hamas, utilizing civilians as human shields, utilizing civilian infrastructure, hospitals, repeatedly," he stated.

Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of utilizing hospitals as hiding locations for weapons and command centres, which the group denies.

The IDF has mounted sieges and assaults on hospitals in Gaza, or ordered their evacuation, leaving the territory's well being system on the verge of complete collapse.

Such assaults have brought about widespread worldwide concern, as many hospitals and medical amenities have been put out of motion - and the lives of sufferers and employees put in danger.

In a press release after an Israeli strike on al-Ahli hospital in April, UN Secretary Basic Antonio Guterres expressed his deep alarm and declared that, below worldwide humanitarian regulation, the "wounded and sick, medical personnel and medical amenities, together with hospitals, should be revered and guarded".

Hospital employees in Gaza have additionally repeatedly denied that Hamas is utilizing their amenities as a base.

The IDF will level to this newest footage as vindication of its claims and its army technique.

As with a lot in Gaza, nevertheless, full unbiased verification isn't attainable.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/ab57/live/478ee100-4494-11f0-835b-310c7b938e84.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/ab57/live/478ee100-4494-11f0-835b-310c7b938e84.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/ab57/live/478ee100-4494-11f0-835b-310c7b938e84.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/ab57/live/478ee100-4494-11f0-835b-310c7b938e84.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/ab57/live/478ee100-4494-11f0-835b-310c7b938e84.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/ab57/live/478ee100-4494-11f0-835b-310c7b938e84.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/ab57/live/478ee100-4494-11f0-835b-310c7b938e84.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/ab57/live/478ee100-4494-11f0-835b-310c7b938e84.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="IDF A selection of identification documents are held by two hands, one of which wears a plastic glove, with evidence bags in the background." class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> IDF The IDF stated gadgets belonging to Sinwar had been discovered within the tunnel

Israel launched a army marketing campaign in Gaza in response to the unprecedented cross-border assault on 7 October 2023 , wherein about 1,200 folks had been killed and 251 others had been taken hostage.

No less than 54,880 folks have been killed in Gaza since, in line with the territory's Hamas-run well being ministry.

The renewed combating in Gaza comes following the collapse of a ceasefire and hostage trade deal just a few months in the past.

Since then, Israel has restated its goal to destroy Hamas and get well the hostages, of whom 54 stay in captivity and 23 are thought to nonetheless be alive.

Mohammed Sinwar joined Hamas shortly after its founding within the late Nineteen Eighties and have become a member of the group's army wing, the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades.

He rose by the ranks and by 2005 he was commander of the Khan Younis Brigade.

Sinwar was additionally reported to have been shut to a different of Hamas's earlier army chiefs, Mohammed Deif, and had been concerned within the planning of the 7 October assault.

His brother and predecessor, Yahya Sinwar - believed to be the one of many masterminds behind the 7 October assault - was killed by Israeli troops final October.