The Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday said their troops killed a senior Hamas commander who was one of the ringleaders of their October 7, 2023 rampage in southern Israel that resulted in the deaths of more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and hundreds of others being taken hostage.
The IDF said an airstrike in the Gaza Strip killed Ibrahim Biari, commander of Hamas’ Central Jabaliya Battalion, located in Jabaliya, about three miles north of Gaza City.
“The stronghold is located in western Jabaliya and used by the commander of the [battalion] for training in preparation for terrorist operations,” the IDF said in a statement. “Also, the stronghold has many weapons used by the terrorists.”
Hamas leaders claimed that “hundreds” of innocent people were killed in the airstrike on a refugee camp, which the IDF described as a hotbed for the group’s militants. Those numbers couldn’t be independently confirmed, however.
“The murderous October 7 attacks targeting Kibbutz Erez and Moshav Netiv Ha’Asarah emerged from the command of the terrorist we targeted. We are focusing our efforts on eliminating terrorists,” Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesman, said Tuesday at a press conference.
Soldiers from the IDF Givati Brigade moved in after the airstrike and fought a number of pitched battles with Hamas militants.
“The forces in the field located and destroyed tunnel shafts, weapons, and military equipment,” IDF officials said. “In addition, the fighters in the field located intelligence material in the compound.”
IDF officials said their offensive operations inside Gaza will “continue and intensify” according to plan.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.
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