Hamas Military Commander Killed in Gaza Airstrike

Palestinian sources reported Wednesday that Faris Ahmed Hamed, a prominent Hamas commander known as "Al-Natur," died in Gaza City from wounds sustained in an Israeli strike. Hamed, who was previously exiled to Gaza as part of the Shalit prisoner exchange in 2011, was targeted in the Sheikh Ajleen area in the southwest of the city.

The Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing, confirmed the death of "Commander Faris Ahmed Abdel Majid Hamed, a member of the Qassam Brigades' military council in the West Bank," stating he was killed in an assassination operation west of Gaza City.

The Israeli military and Shin Bet security agency confirmed their forces eliminated Hamed in a joint operation in Gaza. They stated Hamed was part of Hamas's military wing, previously held a significant position in the "West Bank headquarters," and participated in combat against Israeli forces during the recent war. The military further detailed that Hamed had advanced plans in the West Bank in recent years, was part of the "Salwad cell," and was involved in several operations in the Benjamin region that resulted in Israeli casualties. He also participated in a shooting attack in Ein Yabrud in October 2003, which killed three Israeli soldiers.

According to the Israeli military, Hamed continued his affiliation with Hamas's military wing after his release to Gaza in 2011, recruiting and directing operatives for operations in the West Bank. The military added that precautions were taken to minimize civilian casualties during the strike, including the use of precision munitions and aerial surveillance.