Hamas Govt Head & 2 Senior Officials Eliminated In Airstrike, Claims Israel

New Delhi: Israeli military has claimed that it “eliminated” Rawhi Mushtaha, the head of Hamas government in Gaza, along with two senior security officials in airstrikes about three months ago.

According to a statement by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Thursday, Mushtaha, Sameh al-Siraj and Sami Oudeh were killed in an airstrike at their underground compound in northern Gaza, which served as their command and control centre.

Hamas has not yet commented on Israel’s claim.

“Mushtaha was one of Hamas’ most senior operatives and had a direct impact on decisions relating to Hamas’ force deployment,” IDF said.

Sameh al-Siraj was responsible for overseeing the security portfolio within Hamas’s political bureau. 

Mushtaha was a close associate of Yahya Sinwar, a Hamas leader who is believed to be among those who masterminded last year’s October 7 attack on Israel. Sinwar is believed to be alive and hiding in Gaza. 

Israel reportedly killed Abdel-Aziz Salha, a Hamas militant from West Bank, in an airstrike on Thursday. Salha, who had been jailed for life for his involvement in the 2000 lynching of two Israeli reservists in Ramallah, was released in a 2011 prisoner exchange.