IDF Kills Eight Including Hamas Security Leaders in Gaza Airstrikes

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet have eliminated senior members of Hamas's General Security Service in the Gaza Strip. According to Arab reports, an airstrike on the al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis on Monday resulted in the deaths of a mother and her daughter. Another report stated that eight people, including two girls, were killed and 40 wounded in an Israeli airstrike near Nasser Hospital. The IDF has not yet issued an official response regarding these casualties.

Last week, the IDF announced the killing of Abd al-Rahman Maher Abd al-Karim Ziyada, commander of a Hamas military cell, during a precise strike in the Shati area. Ziyada had infiltrated Israeli territory on October 7, looted IDF vehicles, and attempted to advance terror operations against Israeli forces during the ongoing conflict. He was also the nephew of Ismail Haniyeh, former head of Hamas's political bureau.

In a related operation days earlier, the IDF and Shin Bet killed Walid Haniyeh, deputy commander of Hamas's Nukhba unit. Walid Haniyeh had been actively recruiting militants and leading ideological training for the unit. He personally led a raid into Israel on October 7 and was involved in directing militants who kidnapped Israeli civilians into Gaza. Walid Haniyeh is also a nephew of Ismail Haniyeh.

These targeted strikes are part of Israel's ongoing campaign against Hamas leadership and operatives following the October 7 attacks. The IDF continues to focus on dismantling Hamas's military infrastructure in Gaza.