IDF Eliminates Head of Hamas in Gaza as Air Strikes Resume
IDF Eliminates Head of Hamas in Gaza as Air Strikes Resume
The Israel Defense Forces announced Tuesday it has eliminated the head of the Hamas government in Gaza after resuming air strikes on terror targets overnight.
The man killed was identified as Essam al-Da’alis, whom the Israeli military said was the “most senior figure of authority in Gaza and was responsible for the functioning of Hamas’ terror regime in Gaza.” The man rose to the position after his predecessor was killed in an Israeli strike last July. Additionally, he presided over all of Hamas’s branches in the Palestinian territory.
“Dozens of terrorist targets were struck to hinder Hamas’ governmental and military capabilities and to remove threats to Israel, including numerous mid-level and senior-ranking terrorists in Hamas’ Political Bureau who were eliminated,” the IDF said in a statement accompanied by an image of four deceased Hamas officials.
The other senior Hamas members were identified as Ahmed Amar Abdullah Alhata, Hamas’s justice minister; Bahajat Hassan Mohammed Abu-Sultan, head of Hamas’s Internal Security Forces; and Mahmoud Marzouk Ahmed Abu-Watfa, Hamas’s interior minister.
All four members were killed in Israeli air strikes that continued into Tuesday. Operations led by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad were also targeted by Israel.
The renewed strikes on Gaza broke the temporary truce between Israel and Hamas after the terror group refused to release their remaining hostages when considering offers made by the Trump administration to extend the pause in fighting. Hamas chose to reject the U.S. cease-fire proposals, prompting Israel to act.
Peace negotiations remained stalled after the initial six-week phase of the cease-fire expired earlier this month, casting the fate of the anticipated next phase in doubt. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said the cease-fire talks “would have remained at a standstill” if Israel hadn’t used military force.
The latest military operation appears to be only the beginning, as the IDF seeks to eradicate Hamas from Gaza entirely and secure the release of all hostages. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned the IDF’s strikes will only “intensify” if Hamas fails to release all hostages soon. Of the 59 remaining, two dozen are believed to be alive.
Global outcry broke out after the renewed air strikes carried a reported death toll of more than 400 people. The Gazan health ministry provided the figures without distinguishing between civilians and terrorists as usual.
While Iran, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, and even the two mediators of the conflict — Egypt and Qatar — were quick to condemn Israel’s escalation, the U.S. backed the Jewish state’s move. In fact, the Trump administration approved of the latest strikes after they were consulted on the matter.
Post a Comment