Targeted Strike on Hamas Command Center Beneath Gaza Hospital
On May 13, 2025, Israeli forces executed a precise military operation targeting a sophisticated underground Hamas command-and-control center located beneath the European Hospital in Khan Yunis, Gaza. The strike resulted in the deaths of 28 Palestinians, including prominent Hamas figures Muhammad Sinwar and Mohammad Sabaneh.
Underground Infrastructure and Strategic Importance
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) revealed a 3D illustration depicting the extensive tunnel network beneath the hospital, which served as a combat operations hub for Hamas militants. The command center operated covertly beneath a functioning medical facility, complicating operational logistics.
The IDF collaborated closely with the Intelligence Directorate and Israel Securities Authority (ISA) to meticulously plan and execute the operation using advanced technologies. The Southern Command and the Israeli Air Force (IAF) coordinated to carry out the precision strike, targeting only the militant infrastructure while maintaining the hospital’s operational functionality.
Minimizing Civilian Casualties and Strategic Messaging
Efforts to minimize civilian harm included deploying precision-guided munitions, conducting aerial surveillance, and applying comprehensive intelligence. The IDF underscored Hamas’s exploitation of civilian facilities for military purposes, describing the use of hospitals as “cynical and cruel.”
Political Confirmation and Broader Impact
On May 28, Israeli Prime Minister officially announced from the Knesset that Muhammad Sinwar, a leading Gaza-based Hamas commander, had been successfully eliminated. He highlighted a series of prior operations that neutralized key Hamas leaders including Ismail Haniyeh, Mohammed Deif, and Yahya Sinwar—Muhammad Sinwar’s elder brother, who was killed during clashes on October 17, 2024.
Video footage purportedly depicting the last moments of Yahya Sinwar showed him resisting drone surveillance before his demise, illustrating the intensity of the conflict.
Hamas has yet to confirm Muhammad Sinwar’s death and no official mourning rituals have been reported.
IDF’s Ongoing Commitment
The IDF and ISA emphasized their dedication to combating terrorist organizations in Gaza to ensure the protection of Israeli civilians. The operation demonstrated advanced technological capability in targeting militant infrastructure while navigating the complexities of urban environments densely populated by civilians.
Key Points:
- Date of strike: May 13, 2025
- Location: Underground beneath European Hospital, Khan Yunis, Gaza
- Casualties: 28 Palestinians, including Hamas leaders Muhammad Sinwar and Mohammad Sabaneh
- Operational collaborators: IDF, ISA, Intelligence Directorate, Southern Command, IAF
- Measures to minimize civilian harm: Precision munitions, aerial observation, focused intelligence
- Political confirmation: Israeli Prime Minister from Knesset, May 28, 2025
