Context:

Mohammad Sinwar, a key leader of Hamas, has been targeted by the Israeli military in an ongoing effort to dismantle the group's leadership in Gaza. Born in Khan Younis in 1975, he is the younger brother of Yahya Sinwar, a prominent figure in the Hamas-led attacks on Israel, and has been involved with Hamas since the early 1990s. Known as 'the Shadow,' Mohammad Sinwar has survived multiple assassination attempts and remains elusive, often operating underground to avoid Israeli detection. Despite the Israeli military's attempts to eliminate him, Sinwar continues to play a critical role in Hamas's military operations, opposing ceasefire negotiations that involve disarming the group. He is also linked to the 2006 abduction of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, highlighting his longstanding involvement in high-profile operations against Israel.

Dive Deeper:

• Mohammad Sinwar was born in Khan Younis in 1975 and is the younger brother of Yahya Sinwar, who played a significant role in initiating the Hamas-led attacks on Israel. Their family originally fled from Ashkelon, Israel, during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, settling in a refugee camp in Khan Younis.

• Throughout his life, Mohammad Sinwar has followed in his brother's footsteps, joining Hamas in the early 1990s and quickly becoming a key figure within the organization. He has been arrested by Israeli forces and the Palestinian Authority for suspected terror activities but has consistently returned to his leadership role within Hamas.

• Known as 'the Shadow,' Sinwar has been pursued by Israeli forces for decades, surviving at least six assassination attempts by 2021. Despite these efforts, he has managed to remain hidden, even missing his father's funeral to maintain his secrecy, and has been seen recently in Khan Younis after spending much of the war underground.

• As a senior Hamas military commander, Sinwar holds significant influence in military operations and negotiations. He is known for his hard-line stance against Israel, refusing to compromise in cease-fire negotiations and rejecting any truce that requires Hamas to disarm, similar to his brother Yahya.

• Mohammad Sinwar is implicated in the 2006 abduction of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was held captive in Gaza for five years. This operation, among others, underscores his commitment to using hostage situations as leverage in negotiations for the release of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.