Netanyahu confirms: Head of Hamas internal security apparatus captured in Gaza
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed this evening (Tuesday) a successful operation in the heart of the Gaza Strip, during which a senior Hamas commander serving as the head of the organization's internal security apparatus was captured. Netanyahu noted that the detainee was directly involved in holding hostages and efforts to restore the organization's terrorist infrastructure.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed this evening (Tuesday) the unusual operational activity that took place earlier today in the heart of the Gaza Strip, during which a senior member of the Hamas terrorist organization, who serves as the head of the organization's internal security apparatus, was captured. Netanyahu noted that this is one of the most significant commanders in Hamas, who was directly involved in hiding and transporting the hostages and worked to restore the organization's terrorist capabilities and its governance in the Strip.
"I commend the Shin Bet and the IDF, who in a daring operation arrested today the head of the Hamas internal security apparatus near his home in Gaza. He is one of the most senior Hamas leaders, and was responsible for hiding and transporting our hostages, for hiding senior Hamas officials, and for building force and attempting to restore the capabilities of the terrorist organization. Recently, he was engaged in attempts to restore Hamas's governance in Gaza, in deception regarding the issue of the demilitarization of the Strip, and assisted in carrying out terrorist acts against our forces and our citizens. My directive is clear: The State of Israel will continue to pursue all Hamas leaders and everyone who took part in the October 7 massacre," the Prime Minister stated.
Earlier today, unusual activity was recorded in the west of Gaza City, in the "Al-Katiba" area. A Gazan militia operating in cooperation with IDF forces carried out an operation against a senior target identified with Hamas. According to reports from the Strip, the militia members arrived at the scene using a vegetable transport vehicle to disguise their activity, but were exposed by Hamas terrorists, leading to intense exchanges of fire.
Due to the exposure, the Israeli Air Force intervened with approximately 18 airstrikes to cover the force's withdrawal and assist in its extraction. Footage from the scene shows the van transporting the senior official fleeing the area under the cover of explosions and extensive drone and helicopter activity. Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the arrest during a visit to Netiv HaAsara, clarifying that Israel will continue to pursue Hamas terrorists wherever they are found.
