JERUSALEM/CAIRO. Israel is currently probing whether it successfully targeted Hamas’s deputy military leader in an airstrike conducted in Gaza, as announced by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). This development comes as hopes for a ceasefire diminish, particularly with the onset of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Marwan Issa, if confirmed dead, would mark the highest-ranking Hamas official slain by Israel in the past five months of conflict, which has ravaged the coastal enclave and claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Palestinians.
Issa, also known as the ‘Shadow Man’ for his elusive nature, was one of the key architects behind the October 7 attack on Israel, which ignited the conflict. He, along with two other top Hamas leaders, have been purportedly directing the militant group’s military operations since then.
During a briefing with reporters, IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari revealed that Israel targeted the Al-Nusseirat refugee camp in central Gaza based on intelligence suggesting Issa’s presence. Hagari stated that the strike, conducted in collaboration with Israel’s Shin Bet security service, targeted an underground compound where Issa and another Hamas commander responsible for weapons were believed to be located.
Hagari stated, “Beside them in the tunnel there were other terrorists,” while noting that Issa’s fate remained uncertain.
A Palestinian source confirmed that the strike hit a location where Issa was suspected to be hiding but couldn’t provide further details on his status.
Israeli cabinet minister Chili Tropper commented, “If indeed Marwan Issa was eliminated, who in many ways is Hamas’ military chief of staff, it’s a great achievement by the IDF and Shin Bet.”
Issa, alongside Mohammed Deif and Yahya Sinwar, has been on Israel’s “most wanted” list. His reported demise may complicate efforts to broker a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages. Nonetheless, Israel asserts that negotiations are ongoing through Egyptian and Qatari intermediaries.
The recent escalation dampened hopes for a ceasefire during Ramadan, which began on Monday. An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza City resulted in the deaths of 16 individuals and injuries to several others, as confirmed by Palestinian health officials.
In a separate incident, two Palestinians were killed in an airstrike on a house in the southern city of Khan Younis during the Ramadan fast-breaking. The IDF reported engaging in close combat and airstrikes in central Gaza, targeting sites used by Hamas militants.
Elsewhere, pro-Palestinian groups continued to assert their presence. Lebanon’s Hezbollah claimed to have launched drones at an outpost in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, while incidents were reported in Red Sea waters involving attacks on ships attributed to Yemen’s Houthis.
With inputs from agencies.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
