Hamas Police Chief and Aide Eliminated in Israeli Strike in Gaza

In a significant development from the Gaza Strip, Mahmoud Salah, Hamas's police chief, and his aide Hussam Shahwan were eliminated in an Israeli airstrike on Thursday. The attack targeted the al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian reports cited by Israeli media. The strike resulted in the deaths of 10 individuals and left at least 15 others injured, as confirmed by Gazan medics.

Sahwan, who was reportedly a former head of Hamas's police investigative unit, had been a key figure in the organization's internal operations. The Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported that the target of the attack, Mahmoud Salah, held an important role within Hamas's security apparatus.

This attack follows a series of Israeli operations aimed at disrupting Hamas's military and security structures. Earlier this month, Osama Ghanim, a senior Hamas internal security official, was also killed in a strike in Khan Yunis. Ghanim was known for his role in Hamas's brutal interrogation tactics and his involvement in human rights violations, including the persecution of political opponents and LGBTQ+ individuals in Gaza.

Israeli Security Forces Continue to Target Hamas Leaders

These airstrikes are part of Israel’s ongoing efforts to weaken Hamas’s infrastructure, particularly its leadership and security networks. Israel's military has stated that it aims to dismantle key elements of Hamas's internal security system, which it accuses of severe human rights abuses against the people of Gaza.

The ongoing operations have drawn international attention due to the high civilian toll and the complex dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The deaths of senior Hamas figures underscore the high stakes involved in the conflict, with both sides suffering casualties as they engage in what seems to be a prolonged struggle for control.

Clashes in Nablus: Senior Suspect Arrested

Meanwhile, in the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested a senior Palestinian suspect during a covert operation in Nablus. The arrest, which took place at a coffee shop in the Kasbah area, led to clashes between Israeli forces and local Palestinians. As the forces exited the premises, explosive devices, Molotov cocktails, and stones were hurled at them. Security forces responded with fire, successfully neutralizing the threat. The arrested individual, reportedly a high-ranking member of a terror group, was handed over to the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) for further interrogation.

These operations in both Gaza and the West Bank highlight the ongoing tension in the region, where Israeli forces are increasingly focused on dismantling militant groups involved in attacks against Israeli civilians and military targets.