Israel Eliminates Hamas Northern Gaza Commander in Airstrike

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted an airstrike on an apartment in the western Gaza City neighborhood of Naser overnight Tuesday, reportedly eliminating the commander of Hamas's northern Gaza Strip brigade. Palestinian reports identify the slain official as Azz al-Din al-Bik, who had survived a previous assassination attempt by Israel four months prior.

Al-Bik had been appointed to his position after the previous commander of the northern brigade was killed by Israel. In the May incident where al-Bik survived, the deputy commander of Hamas's Gaza City brigade, Imad Aselem, was killed.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the operation, stating that the IDF had thwarted al-Bik, who was "engaged in terror plots against our forces and worked to recruit terrorists for the organization." They added, "We commend the IDF and the Shin Bet for their determined action against Hamas commanders and operatives. We will continue to hunt down all the organization's operatives, from its commanders to the last of its activists, wherever they hide, until Hamas is no more in Gaza."