Arab report: Senior Hamas military wing official eliminated in IDF strike in Gaza
Palestinian media reported that senior Hamas official Nafez Sabih, who headed the organization's information security system, was eliminated in an IDF strike in Gaza City. Hamas claimed the strikes indicate Israel is not interested in an agreement and called on mediators to intervene.
Arab media reported this evening, Sunday, on the elimination of a senior Hamas official named Nafez Sabih. According to reports, he was killed in an IDF airstrike in Gaza City. Sabih was described as a "major commander" and "head of the information security system" within the terrorist organization. He was also a former member of the military wing's supreme council, known by the nickname "Abu Jalal." Throughout the day, several additional strikes against terrorists were reported across the Gaza Strip. In the strike targeting Sabih, three other fatalities were identified.
Sabih was a veteran of the military wing and commanded terrorists during the tenure of Ahmed Jabari, who was eliminated in 2012. He was among the senior officials who accompanied soldier Gilad Shalit during his release in 2011. Sabih was also one of the planners of the 1996 bus line 18 attacks in Jerusalem and had been a wanted man for many years.
Senior Hamas official abroad Ghazi Hamad expressed anger over the strikes in Gaza today:
"The bombing of Gaza today confirms that Israel does not want an agreement. We conveyed a message to the mediators that Israel is not interested in a deal and demanded that they intervene. So far, we have not received an Israeli position regarding the second phase of the Gaza agreement. Israel must fulfill its obligations before moving to the second phase of the agreement."
The reports regarding Sabih's elimination follow an announcement by the IDF Spokesperson yesterday that, during the night between Friday and Saturday, IDF forces—based on intelligence—struck several targets throughout the Gaza Strip, destroying five warehouses where Hamas weapons were stored. According to the IDF, the warehouses contained Kalashnikov-type weapons, explosive devices, anti-tank launchers, ammunition, and other military equipment.
One of the warehouses attacked was located near the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah. According to the IDF, the site was used as a shelter for terrorists. The IDF notes that this is another example of Hamas using civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities, for terrorist activity.
It was further stated that the destroyed weapons were intended for use in carrying out attacks. The strike was carried out with the goal of removing the threat. The IDF added that Southern Command forces will continue to act to neutralize any security threats.
