Two senior Hamas terror leaders were killed in Israeli airstrikes, with Israeli military commanders promising to kill more. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) stated that Asem Abu Rakaba and Rateb Abu Tshaiban were eliminated, along with other high-ranking officials. Abu Rakaba was the leader of Hamas’ gun-toting paragliders unit, responsible for attacking Israeli civilians. The IDF also confirmed the destruction of 150 underground tunnels in the recent bombardment. Several other Hamas leaders were killed, including Rifaat Abbas, Ibrahim Jadba, and Tarek Maarouf. Hamas’ deputy intelligence leader Shadi Barud, involved in planning terrorist attacks, was also killed by an Israeli airstrike. IDF chief Herzi Halevi pledged to continue targeting and eliminating Hamas commanders, stating that the mission to rescue 229 hostages held in Gaza was a national effort. In response to offering to release hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, the IDF rejected the proposal as “psychological terrorism.” The families of the kidnapped Israelis expressed concern and anxiety over the escalation of hostilities. The Israeli operation intensified with airstrikes and tank movements in several locations. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant declared Israel’s aim to “eliminate Hamas,” and the operation would continue until further notice. Hamas vowed to confront the aggression with full force, launching revenge strikes that were mostly intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome defence system. The Gaza health ministry reported thousands of deaths and injuries due to Israeli strikes, while Palestine’s health officials reported casualties in the West Bank as well. The IDF has urged Palestinians to evacuate the northern areas of Gaza for their safety.
Israeli airstrikes kill top Hamas leaders as Gaza is relentlessly attacked from all directions
