Israeli Forces Capture Hamas Security Chief in Daring Gaza Raid

New details have emerged regarding an unusual Israeli operation that led to the capture of Mua'in Al-Arabid, a senior figure in Hamas's internal security apparatus in the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Tuesday, "Yesterday we took the Hamas head of internal security. We will surely learn some things," during a visit to Gaza. Saudi newspaper A-Sharq Al-Awsat, citing Gaza sources, reported that the Israeli force prepared for the operation for several days, likely conducting reconnaissance beforehand. One source indicated that a vehicle damaged during the operation belonged to the Israeli force and was destroyed during their withdrawal, while another source claimed this vehicle was positioned at the site for at least two days prior, used for intelligence gathering. The Israeli unit reportedly used a truck and another vehicle disguised with vegetables during the raid. Upon arrival, the force split, with one group entering Al-Arabid's home while another secured the perimeter. According to a third source, two of Al-Arabid's sons opened fire on the soldiers upon their entry, leading to a close-range exchange of fire. During the firefight, Al-Arabid's wife was killed, his two sons and two bodyguards were seriously wounded, and Al-Arabid himself sustained injuries. Eyewitnesses reported heavy aerial cover during the Israeli forces' withdrawal via the coastal road and another undisclosed route. Hamas is reportedly investigating how the Israeli force infiltrated the area, examining surveillance footage for clues about the operation's planning and execution. Al-Arabid was reportedly preparing for his son's wedding, who was seriously injured in the raid. This was not the first time Al-Arabid had survived Israeli action; he was lightly injured in an explosion in June and escaped a raid at Gaza's Shifa Hospital in March 2024. Al-Arabid was considered a key figure in Hamas's internal security, responsible for sensitive matters including combating collaborators with Israel and pursuing jihadist elements like ISIS. He oversaw arrests of perceived threats and was involved in a wave of arrests following the exposure of an Israeli special forces unit's activity in 2018. During the current war, he also monitored local armed groups competing with Hamas for control.