Hamas Leader In Gaza Among Three Killed In Israeli Airstrikes, Claims Israel
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced the elimination of three senior Hamas leaders in a targeted strike on an underground compound in northern Gaza. Among those killed was Rawhi Mushtaha, the head of the Hamas government in Gaza, along with Sameh al-Siraj, a senior figure responsible for security on Hamas' political bureau and labor committee, and Sami Oudeh, the commander of Hamas' General Security Mechanism.
Approximately 3 months ago, in a joint IDF and ISA strike in Gaza, the following terrorists were eliminated:
đź”´Rawhi Mushtaha, the Head of the Hamas government in Gaza
đź”´Sameh al-Siraj, who held the security portfolio on Hamas' political bureau and Hamas' Labor Committee
🔴Sami… pic.twitter.com/6xpH6tOOot— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 3, 2024
Operation Details
According to the IDF, the strike, carried out in collaboration with the Israeli Security Agency (ISA), targeted a heavily fortified underground compound that served as a command and control center for Hamas. The IDF noted that the facility allowed senior operatives to remain in hiding for extended periods.
The IDF shared the details of the operation on X (formerly Twitter), stating that these Hamas leaders were responsible for orchestrating operations, including involvement in the October 7 massacre, which claimed over 1,200 lives in Israel and escalated the conflict in the region.
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Mushtaha’s Role and Connection to Yahya Sinwar
Mushtaha was a close ally of Yahya Sinwar, a top Hamas leader who played a pivotal role in the planning of the October 7 attacks on Israel. The IDF’s statement emphasized its continued efforts to target individuals involved in this massacre and reiterated its commitment to neutralizing those who pose a threat to Israel.
Broader Middle East Conflict
The strike on these Hamas leaders follows Israel’s recent operations in Lebanon, where a "precision strike" killed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah. This has been seen as a significant blow to Hezbollah, a militant group backed by Iran.
The broader conflict has been ongoing since Hamas’ unprecedented attack on Israel, which led to the current war in Gaza. Over 41,000 people have been reported dead as a result of the conflict, adding to the already tense and volatile security situation in the Middle East.
