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Israel's defense minister has announced the capture of a senior member of the Palestinian armed group Hamas. Israel Katz made the statement following reports of a raid by Israeli special forces and an Israel-backed Palestinian militia in Gaza City. At the same time, Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed at least two children and a woman, according to local medics. A third child was killed in a separate incident in central Gaza.
Katz did not identify the captured Hamas commander but emphasized that Israeli forces are active in the territory at all times. He stated, "A short time ago, a senior Hamas terrorist was arrested – and this is our policy: we do not wait for threats, but pursue Hamas terrorists, thwart them and destroy their terror infrastructures."
Earlier, heavy bombardment was reported in a crowded area of western Gaza City, with videos capturing chaotic scenes and the sound of gunfire. Reports indicate that Israeli special forces and pro-Israeli Palestinian militiamen had entered the area but were discovered. A Palestinian security source mentioned that the target of the Israeli operation was a senior official in the Hamas internal security service. A spokesperson for Gaza's Hamas-run government media office claimed that an Israeli special forces unit attempted a security operation but was exposed, leading to casualties among both civilians and the special forces unit. The Israeli military confirmed striking several targets in Gaza to remove threats to its troops, stating that none of their personnel were injured.
This incident is part of the ongoing Gaza war, which was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. Since then, over 73,460 people have reportedly been killed in Gaza, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry, figures that the UN considers reliable.