The Hamas chief allegedly behind the attacks on October 7 has been killed by an Israeli airstrike, according to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
In a post on X on Saturday, the IDF reported it ‘eliminated’ Hakham Muhammad Issa Al-Issa in a targeted airstrike on the Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza on Friday.
Describing him as both ‘one of the founders of Hamas’ military wing’ and Hamas itself, it said: ‘Issa led Hamas’ force build-up, training, and planned the October 7 massacre.’
It continued: ‘As Head of Combat Support, he advanced aerial & naval attacks against Israelis.’
The attacks on October 7, 2023, saw thousands of Hamas fighters storm into southern Israel where they killed 1,320 Israelis and took a further 251 hostage.
The IDF claims Al-Issa ‘played a significant role in the planning and execution’ of the attack as well as serving as Head of the Training Headquarters.
The post also suggests he is ‘one of the last remaining senior Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip’ and ‘a key source of knowledge’.
‘The IDF & ISA will continue to locate and eliminate all terrorists involved in the October 7 massacre,’ they added.
In a post on X, the IDF reported that it ‘eliminated’ Hakham Muhammad Issa Al-Issa
Describing him as both ‘one of the founders of Hamas’ military wing’ and Hamas itself, it said: ‘Issa led Hamas’ force build-up, training, and planned the October 7 massacre.’. Pictured: Palestinians at the site of an Israeli strike at the Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City, on June 26
It continued: ‘As Head of Combat Support, he advanced aerial & naval attacks against Israelis’. Pictured: Israeli military vehicles manoeuvre inside the Gaza Strip on June 25
It is understood that Al-Issa arrived in Gaza in 2005 from Syria.
According to The New York Post, Al-Issa was reportedly with his wife and grandson during the strike.
The post also said ‘in the past’, he ‘led Hamas’ force-building domain in the Gaza Strip’ and was ‘one of the founders of Hamas’ military wing’.
It also added he ‘operated to rebuild Hamas’ organisational systems that were damaged during the war’.
Al-Issa also co-founded the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades’ military academy where he trained thousands for Hamas, according to The Jerusalem Post.
Nearly two years after the October 7 attacks, 50 hostages remain in captivity in Gaza but 28 of them are believed to be dead.
Israel’s subsequent strikes on the Gaza Strip have killed more than 56,000 people and left thousands displaced, wounded and struggling for water, food and healthcare.
It comes after the IDF has killed several other high-ranking Hamas officials since October 7, 2023.
It comes after the IDF has killed several other high-ranking Hamas officials since October 7, 2023. Pictured: Buildings lie in ruin inside the Gaza Strip on June 25
The Israeli military said earlier this month it killed the leader of a Palestinian militant group that took part in the October 7 attacks.
Asaad Abu Sharia, who led the Palestinian Mujahideen Movement and its armed wing the Mujahideen Brigades, was killed in a joint operation with Israel’s Shin Bet internal security agency.
His death and that of his brother Ahmed Abu Sharia were announced after it was reported by Gaza’s civil defence agency an Israeli airstrike had hit their home in Gaza City’s Sabra area.
Israel also said at the end of May its forces had killed Hamas’ Gaza chief Mohammad Sinwar.
He became the leader of the militant group in the Gaza Strip after his older brother Yahya Sinwar was killed last October.
The Israeli military said at the time he was the target of a strike on a southern Gaza hospital on May 13.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu then told parliament he had been ‘eliminated’.
This is a breaking news story. More updates to follow.
