Israeli Forces Kill Senior Hamas Operative in Jenin Refugee Camp Airstrike

Israeli security forces eliminated Qais Bitawi, a senior Hamas operative responsible for the terror group's activities in the Jenin refugee camp, during a targeted airstrike on August 28, 2026. The operation was a joint effort by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Shin Bet, and the Yamam counterterrorism unit, led by the Menashe Brigade. The airstrike targeted Bitawi and two aides outside a building under construction, killing all three. After the strike, security forces recovered weapons from the vehicle used by the cell.

Bitawi had previously led Hamas operations in the Jenin refugee camp before the group was dismantled in Operation Iron Wall. According to the IDF and Shin Bet, he was involved in planning, funding, and directing numerous terror attacks against Israeli civilians and security forces. He also maintained connections with Hamas elements in Gaza and abroad. Bitawi is related to Nour Bitawi, a former Hamas commander in Jenin who was killed by Israeli forces in May 2025.

This airstrike follows a series of Israeli operations in the Menashe Brigade area, including a previous strike in October 2025 in the village of Qud. The coordinated operation combined aerial attack with extensive ground forces acting on intelligence from Shin Bet and Military Intelligence (Aman).