The recent confirmation of Mohammad Sinwar’s death in an Israeli airstrike marks the dismantling of a covert Hamas leadership group that orchestrated the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel—an operation that drastically reshaped the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Sinwar, a top military commander and close associate of Hamas’s military chief Mohammed Deif, was part of a shadowy five-member group often referred to within the movement as the War Council or Quintet Council. This elite inner circle operated in near-total secrecy, avoiding direct meetings and relying on outdated but secure communications to evade detection.

Their clandestine nature underscored the group’s significance in Hamas’s strategic hierarchy. Comprising both political and military heavyweights, the council’s members plotted and executed what would become Hamas’s most lethal and far-reaching military action to date.

Key Members of the Hamas War Council Eliminated

The full collapse of this leadership cell has now been confirmed:

  • Mohammed Deif, the long-time commander of the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades and architect of the October 7 assault, was killed in an Israeli strike in July 2024.
  • Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’s top political leader in Gaza and a central figure in recent decision-making, died during an exchange of fire with Israeli forces in October 2024.
  • Mohammad Sinwar, a high-ranking military official and close confidant of Deif, was confirmed dead after Israeli forces identified his remains following a May airstrike.
  • Marwan Issa, Deif’s deputy and a crucial intermediary between the group’s political and military branches, was killed in March 2024.
  • A fifth, unnamed leader, reportedly responsible for Hamas’s internal security apparatus, is said to be incapacitated following multiple assassination attempts and severe wartime injuries.

Strategic Gamble or Fatal Miscalculation?

The October 7 offensive, which stunned the international community due to its scale and brutality, was years in the making. Hamas had invested in an extensive tunnel network, amassed weapons, and maintained tight control over Gaza’s economy—all while extracting heavy financial costs from its already struggling population.

However, sources indicate that even within Hamas, many members were unaware of the full extent and implications of the planned assault. As Gaza endures the aftermath of Israel’s massive retaliatory campaign, the strategic rationale behind the attack remains elusive.

Some analysts describe it as a desperate bid to shift regional dynamics, break Gaza’s long-standing isolation, or force international attention. Yet, the lack of a coherent political exit strategy has led others to view it as a politically ruinous move with devastating humanitarian consequences.

The Fallout: Hamas at a Crossroads

The decimation of Hamas’s senior leadership now leaves the organization at a pivotal juncture. With its military infrastructure severely damaged and political leadership under intense international and regional scrutiny—particularly after the disruption of its external operations base in Qatar in late 2024—the group appears to be in disarray.

This vacuum at the top raises the risk of internal fragmentation or the emergence of more extreme factions from within or around Hamas. Alternatively, the absence of centralized command could create space for other Palestinian groups to assert influence, potentially reshaping the political landscape in Gaza and beyond.

End of an Era

The fall of the War Council signals the end of a critical era for Hamas. Once an opaque but powerful command structure, this inner circle is now effectively dismantled. Whether their legacy will be remembered as a bold act of resistance or a grave strategic blunder remains a divisive question among Palestinians.

What is clear, however, is that Hamas now stands at a decisive crossroads—with its leadership shattered, its military wing weakened, and its political future uncertain.