In a significant escalation of hostilities, Israel’s military announced on Thursday the targeted killing of Rashid Jahjouh, the head of Hamas’s internal security agency, during an airstrike in the Gaza Strip. This operation marks a continuation of Israeli efforts to dismantle key figures in Hamas, which have intensified following a brief period of relative calm since a ceasefire was implemented on January 19.
According to military spokesman Avichay Adraee, Jahjouh had taken over his role following the elimination of his predecessor, Sami Oudeh, in July 2024. The internal security agency within Hamas is responsible for counter-espionage activities and furnishing critical intelligence to Gaza’s political leadership, which aids in strategic planning and decision-making processes.
Adraee further reported that Israeli forces had also executed a separate operation resulting in the demise of Ismail Abdel-Al, described as a significant player in Islamic Jihad’s arms smuggling network. Islamic Jihad has been known to collaborate closely with Hamas, further complicating the security landscape in the region.
The renewed military campaign has taken a heavy toll on the civilian population in Gaza, with local civil defense authorities reporting that at least 504 people have lost their lives since the resurgence of Israeli airstrikes, including over 190 children. This death toll highlights the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict on the territory’s residents.
In a related development, Hamas recently confirmed the fatalities of several of its senior officials due to the Israeli strikes, including the newly appointed head of the Gaza Strip’s government, Essam al-Dalis, and the interior ministry chief, Mahmud Abu Watfa. Dalis, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, had been leading the administration in Gaza since June 2021.
The escalation of airstrikes has raised international concerns, with numerous calls for restraint and a reevaluation of strategies to achieve lasting peace in the region, as the civilian toll continues to rise amidst the ongoing violence.
