Israel Kills Multiple Hamas and Islamic Jihad Commanders

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a series of targeted strikes across the Gaza Strip, eliminating several senior commanders from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. In Rafah, the IDF and Shin Bet killed Nael Abu Obeid, commander of the Hamas Rafah Brigade and head of its military wing operations array. Other high-profile targets included Muhammad Yazouri, commander of the Khan Yunis Brigade, and Ahmad Batash, commander of the Hamas Jabaliya Battalion.

In Khan Yunis, the IDF killed Jihad Samih Mahmoud Ismail, a Nukhba squad commander involved in the October 7, 2023, attacks and the abduction of three Israeli soldiers. The military also eliminated Mohsen Farid Said Abu Hadaf, a Palestinian Islamic Jihad rocket cell leader. Between Tuesday and Wednesday, additional strikes in northern Gaza killed Hamas operatives Said As'ad Said Akrim and Ahmed Bazahat Saleh Shaer, along with Palestinian Islamic Jihad artillery operative Nimer Yasser Nimer Arshi.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that no terrorist is immune and that Hamas will not remain in Gaza. Katz further asserted that Israel is prepared to resume full-scale war to eliminate Hamas and implement a migration plan for Palestinians. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi rejected this prospect, reiterating Egypt's opposition to the displacement of Palestinians.