The Israeli military has claimed that it killed Mohammed Awda in an airstrike in the northern Gaza Strip, stating that he had recently been appointed as a commander within Hamas’ armed wing. Hamas has not yet issued any confirmation or response regarding the claim.
According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, Awda was also targeted in a separate strike on Gaza City. The airstrike reportedly hit a densely populated area in central Gaza City just before Eid al-Adha, resulting in the death of a Palestinian woman and injuries to others, based on medical sources.
The Palestinian group Hamas and its military wing, the Qassam Brigades, have not commented on the Israeli assertions.
Meanwhile, Israeli political analysts and opposition voices have warned that the ongoing conflict in Gaza may be used to intensify military actions amid possible political developments, including the dissolution of the Knesset and early elections.
Since October 2023, the conflict has reportedly resulted in over 72,000 deaths and 172,000 injuries in Gaza, with widespread destruction affecting the majority of civilian infrastructure.
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