IDF Strikes Gaza Targeting Hamas Leader; Saudi Arabia Prepares Yemen Offensive

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a strike in Gaza on Saturday night, reportedly attempting to assassinate the de facto Hamas leader in the Strip, who is considered the de facto Hamas leader in the Strip and the successor to Yahya Sinwar. The attack occurred exactly three years after the Hamas massacre on Simchat Torah 5784. The results of the strike remain unclear. An Israeli source told Kan public broadcaster that al-Arouri was in the targeted apartment and that his chances of survival were slim, stating, "He was in the apartment, awaiting clarification of the strike's results." Hamas, however, presented a different account. Three sources within the organization in Gaza, cited by the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, cast doubt on al-Arouri's death. One source estimated he might have been present but could have survived, while another claimed it was too early to determine but suggested he was likely not there at all.

Al-Arouri is described as one of the few senior Hamas officials remaining in the Strip, currently managing it through a body known as the "Governmental Emergency Committee." He assumed this role temporarily after Khalil al-Hayya, formerly head of Hamas in Gaza, was appointed to lead the organization's political bureau. Reports indicate that secret elections for this position were to be held soon within Hamas, with al-Arouri as a candidate. Israeli assessments suggest al-Arouri was behind Hamas's "deception plan," which involves presenting a facade of disarmament while pursuing rearmament. He is also reportedly responsible for transferring Hamas's civilian governance mechanism to the Peace Council's "technocratic committee," headed by Nikolai Mladenov. Previously, al-Arouri managed Hamas's information and media apparatus. He was released in the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange and remained close to Sinwar both during and after his imprisonment.

Following the strike, reports from Gaza indicated five fatalities, including four women. Later reports identified two of the women as Christian residents of the Strip, and one of the deceased as a 21-year-old man. Another report from Gaza claimed a child was among the dead.

Separately, the IDF announced that on Friday, two senior Islamic Jihad operatives were killed in airstrikes in Gaza City: Ahmed Mahmoud Harb Ramlawi, commander in the rocket unit of the Shejaiya battalion, and Munir Ibrahim Masri, head of the anti-tank missile squad. The IDF stated that these individuals had been advancing terror plots against Israeli forces and civilians throughout the war and recently, and were working to restore the organization's capabilities in systematic violation of the ceasefire. Forces in the Southern Command are deployed accordingly and will continue to act to remove any immediate threat.

Additional details have emerged regarding Omani co-pilot Al-Hamam Al-Maami, suspected of attempting to hijack and crash a Flydubai flight. Al-Maami, whose mother is Syrian, reportedly became radicalized in Syria and was previously dismissed from his airline employment due to "Islamist radicalization." Reports suggest investigators are examining the possibility that the co-pilot was in Israel days before the attempted attack. He had worked for the company for months, including on routes to Israel. Dozens of pilots from Oman have traveled to Israel in recent years, some via Flydubai, which operates flights to the country. ABC News, citing sources briefed on the investigation, reported that the co-pilot is cooperating with investigators and hinted that his intention was to crash the plane over Israeli territory. In 2024, while a trainee pilot at Oman Air, extremist materials were found in his possession, leading to a decision that he could only hold managerial positions. Reuters reported that the pilot was transferred to the UAE, where Israeli investigators are expected to question him.

Former US President Donald Trump posted a video praising Israeli plumber Yaniv Hayoun, who was among those who thwarted the flight hijacking attempt. "I want to thank and congratulate Yaniv Hayoun, who is an Israeli plumber and a fan of Trump. I am a big fan of his," Trump said. "He saved that flight. He went in there, and he learned to fly by watching 'Air Crash Investigation' on TV." Trump added with a smile, "He can be my plumber, he can be whatever he wants."

In a separate development, senior members of Trump's national security cabinet reportedly held a secret, hours-long meeting at Camp David to discuss the ongoing conflict with Iran and the confrontation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis in Yemen, according to three senior US officials who spoke to Channel 12 News. The discussion was led by Vice President J.D. Vance and included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Santens, Envoy Steve Witkoff, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Kaine.

According to a Reuters report, Saudi Arabia is planning a large-scale offensive against the Houthis in Yemen, expected to commence in the coming weeks. The ground operation will be led by Yemeni forces under Riyadh's direction, supported by Saudi airstrikes. Saudi Arabia is considering two options: advancing along the coast to secure Red Sea shipping lanes or launching a multi-front assault. The report also stated that Saudi Arabia is receiving military intelligence from the US and aims to reverse the Houthis' recent gains in Yemen. Over one hundred thousand Yemeni soldiers are expected to participate in the operation.