Another Hamas terrorist has bitten the dust. Israel confirmed that it killed a key Hamas leader after an airstrike in the Gaza Strip.
The target was reportedly one of the leaders who orchestrated the October 7 assault on Israel, which started the current conflict and brought about swift retaliation from Israel.
The commander of Hamas’s Deir al-Balah Battalion of the Central Camps Brigade, Wael Asefa, was eliminated overnight on Sunday by an Israeli airstrike, the IDF and Shin Bet said on Monday.
The strike, which was conducted by an IAF fighter jet, operated on intelligence provided by the Shin Bet and Military Intelligence Directorate in carrying out the operation.
The Israeli security apparatus said that Asefa was one of the commanders of the Central Camps Brigade who ordered the invasion of Hamas terrorists from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel on October 7.
The Hamas leader planned subsequent attacks on Israel in the wake of the historic massacre.
Asefa had a history of being incarcerated due to his involvement in various terrorist operations against Israeli targets from 1992 to 1998. Despite his imprisonment and subsequent release, he resumed a prominent role in coordinating attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers.
Asefa’s elimination is being viewed as a strategic blow to Hamas’ operational capabilities. By targeting members of the terrorist group’s leadership, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) can disrupt the planning and execution of terrorist attacks. Indeed, it is a key component to dismantling the group’s network and infrastructure in a way that makes it harder for them to carry out violent acts against Israelis.
On the same day, the IDF announced that it had also killed Jamal Musa, who led Hamas’ special security operations.
Also, the IDF reported that an airstrike eliminated more commanders of Hamas. Among them was Jamal Musa, who is responsible for special security in the terrorist organization.
In 1993 Jamal Musa carried out a shooting attack against IDF forces who were on patrol in the territory of the Gaza Strip.
The IDF said several Hamas commanders at the field level in the battalions where its forces are fighting were also eliminated.
The IDF has been bombarding Hamas strongholds and tunnel networks to isolate its operatives from their power center in Gaza City. The final phase of direct ground combat with the terrorist group has not yet begun. Still, Israel has lost about 24 soldiers so far, which shows how intense the upcoming battles might be as the IDF pushes forward in its bid to destroy Hamas.
As the situation continues to unfold, international observers, regional stakeholders, and members of the chattering class are closely watching how these events will play out and the impact they will have. As the IDF ramps up its military operations in Gaza, it will likely attract even more criticism from the anti-Israel crowd.
Moreover, there is still the ongoing possibility that Iran and its proxy, Hezbollah, will get more involved in the fighting – especially when it appears that Hamas is about to fall. So far, Hezbollah has engaged in saber-rattling and minor skirmishes with the IDF on the Lebanon-Israel border. However, there have been concerns that the fighting will not be limited only to Israel and Hamas. This last push could produce some unexpected twists and turns as Hamas plays out its last days as a major power in the region.
