Israel Strikes Hamas Targets, Eliminating Key Financier and Sniper

The Israeli military announced Thursday it conducted airstrikes in the Deir al-Balah area, eliminating Jaber Mukbel, identified as a member of Hamas's military wing. According to the IDF, Mukbel managed a money exchange network known as "Mukbel" that transferred millions of shekels in foreign currency to Hamas. The military stated these funds were used to finance the group's operatives, rebuild military infrastructure, and plan attacks against Israeli forces. The IDF emphasized its ongoing focus on disrupting Hamas's military financing to prevent the rehabilitation of its infrastructure and capabilities.

In a separate operation on Thursday in Khan Younis, the IDF reported killing Hassan al-Bata, also described as a sniper in Hamas's military wing. The military stated that both Mukbel and al-Bata had recently been involved in planning operations targeting Israeli forces and citizens, and were working to restore the group's capabilities, violating the ceasefire. The IDF confirmed the two were killed in targeted airstrikes to neutralize an immediate threat. Southern Command forces remain deployed in the area under the terms of the ceasefire and will continue to address any immediate threats.