Israel Eliminates Hamas Finance Chief in Gaza Airstrike

The Israeli military and Shin Bet security agency conducted a targeted airstrike in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, eliminating Mohammed Abu Alwan, identified as the head of Hamas's finance department. Abu Alwan was described as the central figure in managing the organization's budgets and funding.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the operation in a joint statement, praising the security forces. They emphasized that the campaign against Hamas is focused not only on field commanders but also on the financial power centers that enable the organization's survival. "We are hitting the sources of funding, we will not stop until there is no Hamas in Gaza," the statement declared.

The operation against Abu Alwan is part of a systematic effort to dismantle Hamas's support networks, including its financial mechanisms. The finance department is crucial for paying operatives, rebuilding infrastructure, acquiring weapons, and distributing resources to maintain control. Eliminating its head aims to disrupt Hamas's ability to manage remaining resources and prevent any attempts at reorganization.

This strike follows a series of targeted operations against Hamas leaders in the Khan Younis area. In early September, the military announced the killing of Mohammed Yazouri, commander of the Hamas military wing's Khan Younis brigade, along with other operatives. Subsequently, Rafa'a Abu Zamar, a company commander involved in training militants for the October 7th attack, was also eliminated. Earlier, in late August, Hazem Musa and Razek Sahil Suleiman Abu Shahma, participants in the October 7th Re'im camp raid, were killed. The military stated they were involved in promoting terror plots and attempting to restore the organization's capabilities.

These operations are not limited to Khan Younis. On September 15th, Na'el Abu Abid, commander of Hamas's Rafah brigade, was killed. He had been responsible for the brigade's operations and attempted to rebuild its strength after sustaining damage during the war.