Israel Captures Senior Hamas Military Commander After Two Years in Custody

Basel Salahiya, a senior commander in Hamas's military wing, has been held in Israeli custody for about two years and is set to face trial. Israeli security and judicial authorities are preparing to file charges against Salahiya, who was arrested during a ground operation after being detained under house arrest in Gaza.

Salahiya was previously imprisoned by Hamas leadership following a severe internal dispute around five years ago, which involved accusations of betrayal against Marwan Issa and led to a rift with Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif. After an Israeli airstrike destroyed the prison where he was held, Hamas moved him to house arrest in the Hamad residential complex. During the Israeli ground offensive, IDF forces raided the apartment, captured Salahiya, and transferred him to interrogation in Israel.

His capture marks a significant achievement for Israeli security and closes a longstanding chapter dating back to 2011. Salahiya was the mastermind behind a deadly attack in which a Kornet anti-tank missile was fired at a bus carrying students, killing a 16-year-old boy.