Israel kills top Hamas commander, continues bombing campaign in Gaza
Head of Hamas Central Brigade may be most important hit so far
An Israeli airstrike killed another senior member of Hamas on Tuesday afternoon, as the Israeli Air Force continues to strike hundreds of targets a day in the Gaza Strip.
Ayman Nawfal led the Central Gaza Brigade and was a member of the General Military Council of Hamas.
His death is the most high-profile targeted killing of a Hamas commander so far during the war.
מתוקף תפקידיו, הכווין מתווי טרור התקפיים רבים נגד ישראל וכוחות הביטחון, והכווין את יעדי הירי הרקטי של חמאס, תוך הכוונה ייעודית אזורים מאוכלסים באזרחים בלתי מעורבים >> pic.twitter.com/mA9rbF1mQr
— דובר צה״ל דניאל הגרי - Daniel Hagari (@IDFSpokesperson) October 17, 2023
The terrorist, also known by his nom de guerre Abu Ahmad, was widely seen as one of the most powerful commanders in Gaza, with one Israeli news analyst calling Nawfal one of Hamas’ top five commanders.
The terrorist leader was also personally close to Hamas military commander Muhammad Def, the IDF said.
Nawfal was killed in a strike on his home in the al-Bureij refugee camp, following intelligence collected by Israel's Shin Bet security agency and IDF military intelligence.
He spent some years in an Egyptian prison before returning to the Gaza Strip and was responsible for numerous attacks against Israel and its security forces, the IDF reported.
Nawfal was reportedly also involved in the development and production of weapons for the Hamas terror organization, as well as the kidnapping of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006.
Unconfirmed reports from Gaza claim that Israel on Tuesday also attacked the home of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh's family, allegedly killing 14 people, his brother and nephew among them. Haniyeh himself has lived in Qatar for years.
The Israeli Air Force also eliminated Muhammad Alwadia, the commander of the anti-tank system of the Gaza City Division, along with Akram Hijaz, a dealer in weapons and terrorist funds who was responsible for attacks in Israel.
The IDF also confirmed attacks against dozens of other military targets, among them operational headquarters, several assembly areas for terrorists, rocket and anti-tank launching positions, as well as terror infrastructures, such as Hamas' underground smuggling tunnels.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
