IDF Eliminates Hamas Northern Gaza Brigade Commander in Gaza City Strike

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet security agency announced the overnight elimination of Az al-Din al-Bik, also known as "Ashmawi," a senior Hamas commander in northern Gaza. The strike targeted an apartment in the Nuseirat neighborhood of Gaza City where al-Bik was present, reportedly engaged in advancing terror plots against Israeli security forces and recruiting new operatives for the organization.

Al-Bik, born in 1981, joined Hamas's Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades in 2000. He assumed command of the Northern Gaza Brigade following the elimination of its previous commander, Ahmed Ghandour, having previously served as the brigade's intelligence officer. In his role, al-Bik was responsible for directing the brigade's operatives and advancing terror attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians. He also worked to rebuild the brigade's capabilities after significant damage sustained during the ongoing conflict.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz praised the security forces for their determined actions. They reiterated that the pursuit of Hamas operatives will continue without compromise, stating, "We will continue to hunt and pursue all the organization's operatives, from its commanders to the last of its activists, wherever they hide, until there is no Hamas in Gaza."

The IDF stated that al-Bik posed an immediate threat to Israeli forces and civilians and was eliminated in a precise strike.