Israel targets Hamas leader in massive strike on Gaza hospital

Israel targeted Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar in a massive strike on a hospital in Gaza tonight.

It was not immediately clear if the terror chief dubbed 'the Butcher of Khan Younis' had been killed but an official confirmed to the Mail that they had tried to take him out.

Multiple airstrikes pounded the European hospital in southern Gaza where the IDF claimed it had found 'Hamas terrorists in a command and control centre' underground.

Footage showed huge clouds of smoke billowing out of the facility in Khan Younis following one of the biggest strikes on the Strip in weeks.

It was unclear how many civilians were killed but medics said it was a 'catastrophe' with bodies left trapped under the rubble.

Sinwar became the de facto leader after his brother, Yahya Sinwar, was killed last October and if both siblings have now taken out it would represent a major blow to the terror group.

It comes just one day after Washington secured the release of Israeli American Edan Alexander through direct negotiations with Hamas.

The deal has sidelined Israel and there were increasing murmurings that Donald Trump was growing tired with Benjamin Netanyahu following the collapse of the ceasefire in March.

Just this week the President's special envoy Steve Witkoff had reportedly told Israeli relatives of hostages held in Gaza: 'Israel is prolonging the war, even though we do not see where further progress can be made.'

If Mr Netanyahu has now taken out the Hamas leader it would come at a crucial juncture and just as Mr Trump tours the Middle East.

Sinwar was considered just as hardline as his brother and a major obstacle to negotiations to end the war.

Experts believe his assassination could 'open the door for the release of all the hostages' and the end of the war.

Former Shin Bet agent, named only as Guy C, who interrogated Yahya, told the Mail: 'Among Gaza residents, Mohammad is considered an especially radical figure – a staunch jihadist.

'His name has also been linked to disturbing rumours, regarding deviant sexual behaviour.

'During the hostage negotiations, Mohammad Sinwar took an exceptionally hardline stance, rejecting every compromise—even those accepted by Hamas's overseas leadership—and refused any flexibility.

'If reports of his elimination are confirmed, his likely successor is Az al-Din Haddad, the commander of Hamas's military wing in northern Gaza.'

Yahya Sinwar was killed in a clash with the IDF and a picture of his body went viral which Israel confirmed to be him hours later.

The nature of this strike may make it harder to identify if his brother has died.

Both Sinwar brothers were seen as masterminds of the October 7 terror attack that killed 1,200 in the largest slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust and sparked the conflict.

Israel's response has killed over 50,000 Palestinians according to the Hamas-run health ministry - but those figures do not differentiate between terrorists and civilians.

While Mr Trump managed to force Israel into a ceasefire before becoming President, since it has broken down the IDF has stepped up its assault.

Negotiations to end the war are set to take place in Qatar and it is not immediately clear how assassinating Hamas' leader would affect the talks.

Some 58 hostages remain in the Strip, of whom 23 are believed to be alive.