Israel claims it has killed Hamas leader 'the Shadow ' Mohammed Sinwar in deadly air strike

Israeli troops have killed Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar, it was claimed today.

Prime Minister confirmed to the government that had killed Sinwar earlier this month.

He was the militant group's top military leader and younger brother of slain Yahya Sinwar, was killed in an airstrike in Khan Younis.

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Yahya- the former leader of Hamas- was killed in a strike some months ago.

The latest blow to Hamas, if it turns out to be true, means the group’s fighting command has been decapitated.

It is also believed the younger Sinwar, dubbed 'the shadow' may have been with the man earmarked to take over from him if he died.

He earned his 'shadow ' nickname through being so elusive.

The latest Sinwar apparently to be killed is thought to have died in an air- strike on an underground lair on May 13.

Sources revealed it is also believed he had broken strict Hamas protocol by meeting with ten other Hamas kingpins.

It comes as Israel faces criticism for dozens more killed today, with the death toll for the war standing at more than 54,000.

There was some confusion over Netanyahu's claim last night after the IDF said they could not confirm Sinwar's death.

One person died yesterday and 48 were wounded, apparently by gunfire after a riot broke out during aid distribution.

The heavily-criticised and US supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation tried for a second day to distribute aid but Palestinians tried to overrun the programme and were fired upon. Starving crowds broke through fences around the distribution site where thousands had massed. A journalists said tankfire was heard and a helicopter let off its flares.

But it is not yet kn own who actually caused the deaths. Israel also suspects it killed Hamas Rafah commander Muhammed Shabaneh, who may have been the next in line for the leadership. If this turns out to be the case the killing is a major blow to the Gaza group.

After his brother he was considered the most influential in the organisation. Born, Mohammad Ibrahim Hassan Sinwar, in the Khan Yunis refugee camp in Gaza he worked his way up to the ranks of Hamas over several decades.

Sinwar was a key figure within the group. And in 2006 he was involved with the abduction of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, an operation that later led to a prison exchange deal in 2011.

Shalit had been incarcerated inside Gaza for five years.

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