by Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff
(Worthy News) – A stormy debate unfolded in the Knesset on Wednesday under the opposition’s banner, “Complete failure in achieving war goals: returning the hostages and dismantling Hamas.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, fresh from court testimony, took the podium to defend his government’s performance during the 18 months of war since the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre—and for the first time confirmed that Israel eliminated Mohammed Sinwar, Hamas’s top military commander in the Gaza Strip.
“We eliminated tens of thousands of terrorists,” Netanyahu declared. “Muhammad Deif, Yahya Sinwar, Hassan Nasrallah, and now Mohammed Sinwar. We seized Rafah, Morag, and have begun dismantling Hamas’s financial and logistical control. This is what we promised. This is how we win.”
Netanyahu said Sinwar was killed in a May 13 Israeli Air Force strike that targeted a Hamas tunnel complex beneath the European Hospital in Al-Fukhari, near Khan Yunis. The facility was allegedly used by senior commanders to coordinate attacks. Israeli officials believe the strike successfully decapitated the terror group’s remaining high command following Yahya Sinwar’s elimination in October.
The Prime Minister’s remarks sparked outrage among opposition lawmakers. MK Naama Lazimi accused Netanyahu of vanity during crisis, claiming, “While our people were being massacred, you went to get made up. Yair Golan flew to the massacre site and saved people you abandoned.” MK Ofer Cassif was forcibly removed after accusing the IDF of bombing children in Gaza.
MK Avigdor Lieberman, head of Yisrael Beytenu, delivered one of the sharpest rebukes, accusing Netanyahu of exploiting divisive rhetoric and using General Golan’s recent controversial statements to distract from ongoing failures. “You won’t delay the elections,” he warned. “A state inquiry commission will be established.”
Lieberman continued: “You’ve lost all moral compass. You pandered to extremists, alienated allies, and you will be remembered as the most cynical and failed leader in Jewish history.”
Netanyahu shot back, calling the opposition delusional. “Have you lost your minds?” he said. “On October 7, we feared we would not recover. But just two days later, I told leaders: ‘We will change the face of the Middle East.’ And we have.”
The session ended in chaos when MK Gilad Kariv approached Netanyahu with a paper map of Israel bearing an Israeli flag, attempting to pin it on the Prime Minister before being restrained by security.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid concluded the debate with a stinging question: “What is your situation today? What was it before this war, before this government?” He added, “You are not the Prime Minister of Revival. You are the Prime Minister of October 7.”
Despite the firestorm, Netanyahu’s confirmation of Mohammed Sinwar’s death marks a significant milestone in Israel’s military campaign. Sinwar, who succeeded his slain brother Yahya as Hamas’s top military commander, was a key architect of ongoing operations against Israel. His elimination, alongside that of Muhammad Deif and Yahya Sinwar, represents a major blow to Hamas’s leadership structure.
Still, the war continues. Fifty-eight hostages remain in captivity—some alive, some confirmed dead—and tensions in the Knesset reflect growing public frustration over the pace of their return and the broader cost of war.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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