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The Israel Defense Forces captured Hamas' head of general security during a raid in Gaza, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said. An Israeli security official identified the Hamas leader as Mu'in al-Arabid, head of the General Security Apparatus, saying he was arrested during an Israeli incursion deep inside Hamas territory in Gaza. The IDF carried out airstrikes to cover the raid's withdrawal, adding that there were no Israeli casualties. "A short time ago, a senior Hamas terrorist was arrested, and this is our policy: We do not wait for threats. Instead, we pursue Hamas terrorists, thwart them, and destroy their terrorist infrastructure. We have built a strong and unprecedented security zone in Gaza to protect residents and IDF soldiers," Katz said in a statement.
Katz added, "Nearly 70% of the Gaza Strip has been destroyed, with no residents, no tunnels, and no homes, and the IDF controls the territory. We are not leaving Gaza until the Strip is demilitarized, Hamas is disarmed, and all terrorist tunnels are destroyed. Even after that, the IDF will remain in Gaza along defensive lines and ensure the security of the western Negev communities. Any attempt to bypass the security zone through aerial launches will be met with a harsh response."
The raid comes weeks after President Donald Trump's administration demanded that Hamas disarm and give up control of Gaza in August. Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, traveled to Israel last month and said the IDF may receive U.S. backing to "finish the job." Kushner also warned that if Hamas does not follow through on their commitments, Israel would gain more support from the U.S. and others to take appropriate action against the group.