Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday that Israel has “probably” killed Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar. An Israeli air strike on a hospital in southern Gaza earlier this month targeted Sinwar.

However, Hamas has not confirmed his death. Mohammed Sinwar assumed leadership of Hamas in the Gaza Strip in October 2024 after his brother, Yahya Sinwar, was killed by Israeli forces in southern Gaza.

Addressing a press conference in Jerusalem, the first in five months, Netanyahu said “We eliminated tens of thousands of terrorists. We eliminated the leaders of the murderers Deif, Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar and it appears we also eliminated Mohammed Sinwar.”

“Our forces are seizing more and more territory in Gaza. At the end of the move, all areas of the Strip will be under Israeli security control,” he added.

Netanyahu also dismissed speculation of a falling out with the US administration following a visit to the Gulf by US President Donald Trump that left out Israel. Meanwhile, Israel military said that they have allowed 100 aid trucks carrying flour, baby food and medical equipment into the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu said Israel would be open to a temporary ceasefire to enable the return of hostages. But otherwise he said it would press ahead with a military campaign to gain total control of Gaza, new agency Reuters reported.

After an 11-week blockade on supplies entering Gaza, the Israeli military said a total of 98 aid trucks entered on Monday and Tuesday. But even those minimal supplies have not made it to Gaza’s soup kitchens, bakeries, markets and hospitals, according to aid officials and local bakeries that were standing by to receive supplies of flour.

“None of this aid – that is a very limited number of trucks – has reached the Gaza population,” said Antoine Renard, country director of the World Food Programme.

With inputs from Reuters