Dramatic Footage Shows Hamas Security Chief Captured in Gaza Operation

Dramatic new footage released by Al Jazeera from west of Gaza City shows the intense moments of a special operation Tuesday where Israeli forces engaged in a firefight and captured a senior Hamas security official. The video depicts smoke and heavy gunfire in a street as the Hamas official attempts to crawl and hide under trees near a building. The Israeli Air Force conducted over 12 strikes in the area, near the Shati refugee camp, coinciding with the special forces' operation and ensuing clashes.

Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed Tuesday that security forces apprehended Mahmoud al-Arabeed, identified as Hamas's head of general security, a role comparable to the head of the Shin Bet internal security agency. The operation, planned for months and managed from the Shin Bet's special operations command center in the Southern Command with political approval, reportedly involved local militias led by Rassan Dahaini of the Abu Shbeib militia. Forces raided a building in the Al-Kutiba area where al-Arabeed was located with his family.

During the exchange of fire, al-Arabeed was wounded, and four Palestinians were killed, including his wife and son. Al-Arabeed was extracted from the Strip, brought to Israel while injured but conscious, and is currently hospitalized under guard for interrogation. He is described as a veteran operative since the 1990s, having managed Hamas's "militias portfolio" and worked to restore the organization's control in Gaza.

Security officials emphasized that bringing him alive for interrogation holds significant intelligence value and sends a clear message to Hamas leadership that Israel can conduct ground operations anywhere, even deep within enemy territory.