IDF kills senior Hamas commander in Gaza strike

The Israeli military has confirmed the killing of a senior Hamas commander described as a “key figure” in the terror group’s security network.

Mahmoud al-Aswad, who led Hamas’s General Security Apparatus in western Gaza, was struck in northern Gaza last Friday following joint intelligence from the IDF and Shin Bet. The army said al-Aswad served as “a significant source of knowledge” for Hamas’s operations.

The announcement came as Israeli forces reported fresh activity on the edges of Gaza City and in Khan Yunis. Troops said they were working to dismantle Hamas infrastructure both above and below ground.

In Khan Yunis, the Israeli Air Force said it hit a maritime weapons storage facility and a repair site, while ground forces clashed with militants, killing several who approached IDF positions.

The IDF said operations in the north and south of the Strip would continue in the coming days.