Israeli defense officials announced that one of the founding architects of Hamas’ military operations and a central figure behind the October 7 assault has been killed in a targeted strike.
Hakham Muhammad Issa Al-Issa was eliminated in an Israeli airstrike carried out in the Sabra area of Gaza City, according to a statement released by the Israel Defense Forces.
Al-Issa was one of the last remaining original commanders of Hamas’ armed wing. He played a key role in orchestrating the October 7 onslaught that triggered the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
“Issa led Hamas’ force build-up, training, and planned the October 7 massacre. As Head of Combat Support, he advanced aerial & naval attacks against Israelis,” said an IDF post on X.
“The IDF & [Israel Security Agency] will continue to locate and eliminate all terrorists involved in the October 7 massacre.”
Al-Issa was known to be a vital reservoir of operational knowledge for Hamas. Prior to the October 7 attack, he had held numerous senior posts within the organization, including heading its Training Headquarters.
He played a leading role in reconstructing Hamas’ internal structure following months of Israeli pressure that degraded the group’s capabilities.
In addition, Al-Issa co-founded the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades’ military academy, where he helped train thousands of operatives and shape the hierarchy of Hamas’ military framework, according to the Jerusalem Post.
He entered Gaza in 2005 after spending time in Syria and was reportedly with his wife and grandson when the strike occurred.
Al-Issa’s elimination comes on the heels of another significant blow to Palestinian militant factions. Earlier this week, the IDF said it neutralized Asaad Abu Sharia, the leader of the Mujahideen Brigades — a Palestinian terror faction linked to the abduction and execution of Hamas captives taken on October 7.
Sharia was reportedly killed during a coordinated operation between the Israeli military and the Shin Bet in Gaza City.
Last month, Israeli forces also struck down top Hamas commander Mohammad Sinwar in an aerial assault on a hospital facility in Gaza.
Sinwar had been hiding in tunnel infrastructure beneath the medical center. His body was retrieved from the debris in a dramatic operation captured on video by IDF troops.
{Matzav.com}