Senior Hamas security official eliminated in Israeli airstrike

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed the targeted elimination of Mahmoud al-Asud, a senior Hamas operative who served as the commander of the group’s general security apparatus in western Gaza.

The operation was carried out last week by an Israeli Air Force aircraft, guided by intelligence provided by Military Intelligence and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), Caliber.Az reports, citing Israeli media.

According to a statement released by the IDF spokesperson, al-Asud was a key figure within Hamas’s internal security network, both during the ongoing conflict and over the course of many years. The statement described him as “a significant knowledge hub within the organization,” noting that his role extended far beyond tactical operations, encompassing strategic planning and internal coordination.

In addition to the strike targeting al-Asud, the IDF reported continued operations across the Gaza Strip. In northern Gaza, forces from the 162nd and 99th Divisions engaged and eliminated multiple Hamas operatives and dismantled terrorist infrastructure. These actions are part of a broader campaign to neutralize militant strongholds and disrupt the group's operational capabilities.

Further south, in the Khan Younis area, the IDF destroyed additional Hamas infrastructure and conducted precision strikes on a warehouse used for the maintenance and repair of naval weaponry, a facility believed to support Hamas’s maritime attack capabilities.

The Israeli military reiterated its commitment to dismantling Hamas's operational networks across the Gaza Strip, emphasizing that efforts will continue until the group’s ability to launch attacks against Israeli civilians and forces is significantly degraded.

By Vafa Guliyeva