Shin Bet Arrests Hamas Security Chief in Daring Gaza Operation

Special forces from the Shin Bet security agency carried out the arrest of Muein Al-Arabeed, identified by Israel as Hamas's "head of security" in Gaza, in a special operation near Gaza City on Wednesday. This action contradicts earlier reports suggesting Israeli-backed militias were responsible. The operation, which lasted several hours under the command of the Southern Command, involved Israeli forces firing on Al-Arabeed near his home, wounding him before apprehending him and taking him to Israel. The Israeli military provided air cover during the operation, striking targets to neutralize threats and prevent interference.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the arrest was a "bold operation" by the IDF and Shin Bet. He described Al-Arabeed as a senior Hamas official responsible for concealing hostages, hiding Hamas leaders, and rebuilding the terrorist organization's capabilities. Netanyahu added that Al-Arabeed had recently been involved in efforts to re-establish Hamas's control in Gaza, deceive on the issue of disarming the Strip, and facilitate terror attacks against Israeli forces and civilians.

The Shin Bet had reportedly been tracking Al-Arabeed for an extended period, studying his daily routine and movements to identify a vulnerability. The operation was planned based on this intelligence, with forces acting when Al-Arabeed approached his residence. The military emphasized that the operation aimed to remove threats and disrupt Hamas's plans for terror attacks against Israeli forces and citizens, particularly in light of calls to avoid strikes in the Strip.

Al Jazeera broadcast footage appearing to show operatives firing from a white van during the operation. Palestinian sources, however, claimed that the Israeli force was exposed during the operation and that Al-Arabeed was a lower-ranking officer than described by Israel. One Palestinian source alleged that Al-Arabeed's home was bombed by the IDF, resulting in his wife's death, though Israeli officials stated the captured militant was brought back unharmed and that air force strikes targeted military objectives to remove threats to the forces, with no Israeli casualties.

In a separate incident, the IDF eliminated the commander of Hamas's military wing in the Jabalia area of northern Gaza, who was reportedly promoting terror plans in violation of a ceasefire.