Israeli army claims to assassinate Hamas commander in Gaza despite ceasefire

ISTANBUL

The Israeli army claimed Thursday to have assassinated a Hamas commander in southern Gaza, in a new violation of a ceasefire deal in place since last October.

A military statement said Mohammed Abu Shahla was “eliminated” on Wednesday, describing him as the military intelligence chief of the Khan Younis Brigade in Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades.

It claimed that Abu Shahla had allegedly worked to “rebuild Hamas’ capabilities” and planned attacks against Israel.

There was no immediate comment from Hamas on the Israeli statement.

Israel has launched a two-year war on the Gaza Strip, killing more than 71,000 people, injuring over 172,000, and destroying about 90% of the enclave’s civilian infrastructure, with reconstruction costs estimated by the UN at around $70 billion.

The assault, however, was halted under a US-backed ceasefire deal that took effect on Oct. 10, 2025.

Despite the truce, Israel has continued its daily attacks, killing at least 677 Palestinians and injuring 1,813 others since the ceasefire, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

ISTANBUL

The Israeli army claimed Thursday to have assassinated a Hamas commander in southern Gaza, in a new violation of a ceasefire deal in place since last October.

It claimed that Abu Shahla had allegedly worked to “rebuild Hamas’ capabilities” and planned attacks against Israel.

There was no immediate comment from Hamas on the Israeli statement.

The assault, however, was halted under a US-backed ceasefire deal that took effect on Oct. 10, 2025.

Despite the truce, Israel has continued its daily attacks, killing at least 677 Palestinians and injuring 1,813 others since the ceasefire, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.