The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced an operation that killed Hakam al-Issa, one of the top commanders of Hamas, a group recognised as a terrorist group in the United States and the European Union, in the Gaza Strip.
According to the IDF, al-Issa was one of the group’s founders, served as chief of staff in the movement’s military wing and was involved in planning an attack on Israel on 7 October 2023.
The Israeli army says al-Issa also directed attacks against Israeli civilians and military personnel in the Gaza Strip.
The IDF pledged to “continue decisive action to eliminate all those involved in the 7 October attack.”
More than 1,000 people were killed during the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas militants. More than 250 people were captured and taken to Gaza. According to the latest figures, 50 people are still held in the hands of the jihadists in the Strip, of whom about 20 are alive.
The Israel Defence Forces have been conducting a ground operation in Gaza since October 2023. The goals are stated to be the release of hostages and the elimination of the Hamas group.
Since the beginning of the conflict, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Ministry of Health, more than 56,000 Palestinians have died. There is no independent confirmation of these figures.
According to the Israeli and Western media, the US is putting pressure on Israel to end the war in the Strip as soon as possible and to conclude a ceasefire and hostage release agreement with Hamas. Egypt and Qatar are acting as mediators in the negotiations between Israel and “Hamas”.
In the coming days, special envoy of the US President Steve Witkoff will arrive in Egypt, the Lebanese newspaper Al Akhbar reported citing Egyptian diplomatic sources. It is expected that his visit may encourage Israel to participate in the negotiations – so far the Israelis have not sent their delegation to Cairo.