History of Mohammed Sinwar in Timeline

Mohammed Sinwar is a Palestinian politician and militant leader. He currently heads Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, assuming both roles in October 2024 after his brother's death. He is a key figure in the Hamas organization.

Sections (1)

Full Timeline

September 1975: Birth of Mohammed Sinwar

On September 16, 1975, Mohammed Ibrahim Hassan Sinwar was born in the Khan Yunis refugee camp. His family had fled from Al-Majdal Asqalan during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

Others born on this day/year

1991: Arrested by Israel

In 1991, Sinwar was arrested by Israel on suspicion of terrorism and was released after less than a year in custody. During the 1990s he was also arrested for several years by the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah. He operated 'behind the scenes' earning him the nickname 'Shadow'.

2005: Commander of Hamas

In 2005, Sinwar became the commander of Hamas's Khan Younis brigade.

2006: Participant in abduction of Gilad Shalit

In 2006, Sinwar participated in the abduction of Gilad Shalit.

2011: Gilad Shalit released

In 2011, Gilad Shalit was released in exchange for 1,027 Palestinian prisoners, including Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Sinwar's brother.

2014: Reported Death

In 2014, Hamas announced that Mohammed Sinwar had died during the Israel-Gaza War, but this information was later found to be incorrect. He had presumably been hiding in the tunnels underneath the Gaza Strip.

May 2021: Six Assassination Attempts by Israel

By May 2021, Mohammed Sinwar had been the subject of six assassination attempts by Israel.

October 2023: Mastermind of attack on Israel

In October 2023, Mohammed Sinwar was believed by Israeli intelligence to have been one of the masterminds of the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7. Israel made him one of the most wanted men in its military operation in Gaza, placing a $300,000 bounty on information as to his whereabouts.

October 2024: Leadership of Hamas in Gaza Strip

In October 2024, after the death of his brother Yahya, Mohammed Sinwar reportedly controlled the militant activities and remained as the most senior Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip. There were significant new recruitment efforts of fighters and an increase in hit-and-run attacks against Israeli forces under his command.

May 2025: Airstrike

In May 2025, the IDF and Shin Bet said that Sinwar had been targeted in an Israeli airstrike on a bunker under the Gaza European Hospital in Khan Yunis. The strike on May 13 killed 26 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, but Sinwar's fate was unclear.