The Israel Defense Forces announced they have “eliminated” Hakham Muhammad Issa al Issa, a founder of Hamas‘s military wing and a central planner of the terrorist group’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel in 2023.
Issa, described by the IDF as “one of the last remaining senior Hamas terrorists” left in the Gaza Strip, was killed in a targeted airstrike on the Sabra neighborhood of the strip on Saturday.
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“ELIMINATED: eliminated Hakham Muhammad Issa Al-Issa — one of the founders of Hamas’ military wing. 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. The IDF & ISA will continue to locate and eliminate all terrorists involved in the October 7 massacre,” the IDF posted on X.
Israel viewed Issa as a “key source of knowledge” who played a “significant role” in the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack that resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 people, with an additional 251 taken hostage by Hamas.
Israel has since negotiated the return of 148 of those hostages, but 50 are still being held in Gaza, over half of whom are believed to be dead.
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The assassination of Issa comes as Israel is refocusing its attention on Gaza following a ceasefire reached in its “12 Day War” on Iran earlier this week.
In remarks on Tuesday, Israeli military chief of staff Eyal Zamir said the country’s focus is on “bringing the hostages home and toppling Hamas rule.”