Israeli fighter jets bombarded the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis on Tuesday evening in an attempt to kill Mohammad Sinwar, one of Hamas’s remaining top leaders in the enclave, according to two Israeli military officials.
Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
Around the same time, the Israeli military said its forces had struck a Hamas command center underneath the European Hospital, near Khan Younis. An Israeli military spokeswoman declined to say whether Mr. Sinwar was targeted in that strike.
Billowing pillars of smoke towered around the hospital following the bombardment, according to videos from the scene verified by The New York Times. It was unclear whether hospital buildings were damaged in the strike.
Israel has threatened another major military offensive in the Gaza Strip unless Hamas lays down its weapons and turns over the 20 living hostages it still holds, along with the remains of around 40 others. Hamas leaders have refused to disarm, adding that they will not release the captives unless Israel ends the war.
Mr. Sinwar is believed to be one of the most senior Hamas military commanders left in the Gaza Strip after more than a year and a half of devastating war with Israel. He is the brother of Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader, killed by Israeli forces last year, who masterminded the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks that set off the war.
Aric Toler contributed reporting.
Ronen Bergman is a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, based in Tel Aviv.
Aaron Boxerman is a Times reporter covering Israel and Gaza. He is based in Jerusalem.
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