The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed the elimination of a senior Hamas military leader, Hakham Muhammad Issa Al-Issa, who was identified as one of the key planners behind the October 7 attack on Israel. The airstrike targeting Issa, a high-ranking member of Hamas’ military wing, was conducted in a joint operation with the Israel Security Agency (ISA) in Gaza City on Friday. The IDF stated that Issa played a major role in the planning and execution of the attack, which led to significant casualties among Israeli civilians. Issa’s responsibilities within Hamas included leading force-building initiatives, overseeing training operations, and serving on the organization’s General Security Council.
According to the IDF, Issa was actively involved in coordinating attacks on Israeli civilians and troops operating in the Gaza Strip. His efforts were aimed at strengthening Hamas’ military capabilities and ensuring the continuation of its operations. The operation to eliminate Issa represents another significant blow to Hamas’ leadership structure and its ability to carry out large-scale attacks. Additionally, the IDF reported the killing of Abbas Al-Hassan Wahbi, a Hezbollah terrorist, in the Mahrouna area of southern Lebanon. Wahbi was described as a member of Hezbollah’s ‘Radwan Force’ Battalion and was involved in intelligence operations and the rebuilding of Hezbollah’s capabilities, including weapons transfers.
The IDF emphasized that these actions are part of its broader counterterrorism efforts to neutralize threats posed by groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. The news comes amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, with the IDF noting that the elimination of Iranian commander Saeed Izadi, who was responsible for arming and funding Hamas, was also part of this campaign. The IDF highlighted that Izadi was one of the orchestrators of the October 7 attack, underscoring the interconnected nature of the threats faced by Israel. The IDF reiterated its commitment to continuing these operations to ensure the safety and security of the Israeli population.