Hamas' Commander-in-Chief in Gaza eliminated in early 2024, claims Israel amidst tensions with Iran

The Israeli military announced on Thursday that it had killed a senior Hamas leader in an airstrike in the Gaza Strip about three months ago.

The strike targeted an underground compound in northern Gaza, resulting in the deaths of Rawhi Mushtaha and two other Hamas commanders, Sameh Siraj and Sameh Oudeh.

There was no immediate response from Hamas regarding the IDF's claims.


The Israeli military reported that the three commanders had taken refuge in a fortified underground facility that served as a command and control center.

Mushtaha was identified as a close associate of Yahya Sinwar, the top leader of Hamas, who is believed to have masterminded the October 7 attack on Israel that triggered the ongoing conflict.

Sinwar is thought to still be alive and is believed to be hiding within Gaza.

This news comes just two months after Israel 'assassinated' Hamas' political chief Ismail Haniyeh in a targeted operation in Iran's Tehran.

Tensions in West Asia have since intensified, as Israel continues its operations in Gaza as well as Lebanon. Last week, Hezbollah's top commander Hassan Nasrallah was killed at the militia organisation's headquarters by the IDF.

Following Nasrallah's death, Iran launched missiles towards Israel and a Hamas wing took responsibility for a shooting attack in the West Asian country's Tel Aviv district.

Israel, in response, vowed to retaliate according to the 'will and command' of the Benjamin Netanyahu-led government, thus increasing worries of a wider conflict in the region.

The US has warned Israel against attacking Iranian nuclear facilities.

Meanwhile, Tehran said that its attack was only a 'message' to Israel and further stated that it doesn't seek a war with Tel Aviv.