IDF kills Hamas Sabra Battalion commander, key deputies

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) have announced the elimination of Osama Abu Namos, commander of Hamas's Sabra Battalion, in a targeted airstrike last week. 

The military disclosed this operation on January 9 evening, highlighting its significance in disrupting Hamas’s activities, Caliber.Az reports via Israeli media.

"Osama Abu Namos was a central figure in orchestrating military operations against Israeli civilians and military forces, particularly in the Netzarim Corridor," an IDF spokesperson stated. "He also played a pivotal role in supplying intelligence to Hamas, making him a critical target."

The operation, carried out by the Israel Air Force, also resulted in the deaths of other senior figures within the battalion, including Mahmoud Al Tarq, the deputy commander of the Sabra Battalion.

To recap, since October 7, 2023, Israel has killed 46,006 Palestinians and wounded at least 109,378 others, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health.

Meanwhile, Pope Francis on January 9, stepped up his criticisms of Israel’s military campaign as “very serious and shameful”.

In his yearly address to diplomats delivered on his behalf by an aide on Thursday, the pope appeared to reference deaths caused by the cold weather in Gaza, where there is almost no electricity.

“We cannot accept that children are freezing to death because hospitals have been destroyed or a country’s energy network has been hit,” the text of his address said.

By Aghakazim Guliyev