The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recently announced that three senior Hamas leaders were killed in Gaza three months ago. The leaders identified include Rawhi Mushtaha, who is claimed to have led the Hamas government in Gaza, along with Sameh al-Siraj and Sami Oudeh, both of whom held significant roles in the group’s security operations.
The IDF revealed that the three leaders were located in an underground compound in northern Gaza and were targeted during air strikes. Military officials suggested that Hamas chose not to announce the deaths publicly in order to prevent a decline in the morale and effectiveness of its operatives.
Mushtaha has been characterized by the IDF as one of the most senior Hamas operatives, with a substantial influence on military decisions concerning the deployment of Hamas forces. This disclosure occurs amid an ongoing conflict, adding to a growing list of significant Hamas leaders who have been eliminated since the group launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, a move that escalated the current war in Gaza.
In August, the Israeli military reported the killing of another Hamas leader, Wissam Khazem, during a significant operation in the West Bank. Additionally, in July, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an explosion in Tehran, an incident attributed to Israeli actions by Iranian sources, although Israeli officials have not claimed responsibility.
The recent developments have prompted reactions from Iranian military leaders. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that a missile strike on Israel earlier this week was a form of retaliation for what they described as the “violation of Iran’s sovereignty” and the “martyrdom” of Haniyeh.
This ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to evolve, with high-stakes military operations and geopolitical implications as both sides respond to the shifting landscape of power in the region. The IDF’s announcement highlights the continuing efforts to dismantle Hamas’s leadership amid escalating tensions and violence in Gaza.
