Hamas Leader Ali al-Amoudi Wounded in Israeli Strike

Ali al-Amoudi, considered a senior Hamas leader in Gaza, was injured in an Israeli airstrike two weeks ago. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted an apartment in Gaza City with the intention of eliminating al-Amoudi. A Hamas representative confirmed that al-Amoudi was in the apartment during the attack, sustaining moderate injuries but surviving.

A senior Hamas official, speaking anonymously to the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, stated that al-Amoudi was in a side section of the apartment, which allowed him to escape unharmed. The official added that al-Amoudi is currently in good condition and receiving medical care in a secure location. This marks the first instance of a senior Hamas official acknowledging the accuracy of an Israeli target identification.

Al-Amoudi, who previously led Hamas's information activities, was released in the 2011 Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange. He has become a key figure in managing the organization's affairs in Gaza over the past year and is currently a contender for the head of Hamas's political leadership in Gaza, competing against Nizar Awadallah.

The strike occurred on a Saturday morning, exactly three years after the October 7th attack. Initial reports following the strike indicated five fatalities, including four women, but three Hamas sources quickly expressed doubt about al-Amoudi's death. Two days later, senior Hamas official Razı Hamad confirmed al-Amoudi's survival in an interview with Al Arabiya, accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire with targeted assassinations and urging the U.S. to pressure Israel to cease such operations.

Al-Amoudi, born in Gaza and raised in Khan Younis, has been linked to the 1994 killing of Shin Bet operative Noam Cohen. He was imprisoned for life after his capture in 1994 but was released in the 2011 Shalit exchange along with Yahya Sinwar and over a thousand other Palestinian prisoners. His close relationship with Sinwar, forged during their imprisonment, continued after their release, with al-Amoudi heading Sinwar's office from 2017 to 2021. He was elected to Hamas's political leadership in 2021 and subsequently led its information department, developing communication strategies and coordinating between political and operational branches.

Following Sinwar's elimination in October 2024 and the deaths of other senior Hamas officials, al-Amoudi's influence has grown. Media reports suggest he has taken over management of the political leadership's affairs in Gaza, becoming central to its daily operations. Some of his initiatives have reportedly caused internal disagreements and raised questions about his authority within Hamas.

Al-Amoudi is currently vying for the top Hamas leadership position in Gaza against Nizar Awadallah. The first round of voting was inconclusive, and a decisive round was suspended after Awadallah appealed procedural issues. Sources indicate Khaled Meshaal and Zaher Jabarin support Awadallah, while al-Amoudi reportedly has the backing of Khalil al-Hayya, though Asharq Al-Awsat noted uncertainty about al-Hayya's endorsement. Despite his past ties to Sinwar and significant influence, al-Amoudi is not considered part of the military wing, holding a high position within Hamas's political and organizational structure.