Hamas Government Leader and Other Senior Representatives Killed

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed the elimination of Hamas government leader Rawhi Mushtaha and two other senior representatives of the Palestinian movement in the Gaza Strip, as reported by the army's press service.

“Approximately three months ago, in a joint strike by the IDF and the Israeli Air Force, the following terrorists were neutralized in the Gaza Strip: the leader of the Hamas government, Rawhi Mushtaha, Sameh al-Siraj, who held the position of security chief in Hamas's political bureau and work committee, and Sami Awda, the commander of Hamas's general security apparatus,” the statement said.

The press service added that the Israeli Air Force targeted a fortified underground complex in northern Gaza where Mushtaha, al-Siraj, and Awda were hiding. According to the IDF, Rawhi Mushtaha was one of Hamas's highest-ranking members and had a direct influence on decision-making within the movement. Mushtaha co-founded the Palestinian movement's general security apparatus with Hamas's acting leader Yahya Sinwar and was considered Sinwar's close ally.