IDF Eliminates Senior Hamas, Islamic Jihad Commanders in Major Gaza Strike Campaign

by Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff

(Worthy News) – The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), in coordination with the Shin Bet internal security agency, has carried out a sweeping two-week campaign targeting senior Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) operatives involved in restoring the groups’ military infrastructure in Gaza, the military announced Sunday.

The multi-pronged operation targeted commanders responsible for weapons production, intelligence gathering, and financial operations linked to terrorism. According to the IDF, the objective was to cripple Hamas and PIJ efforts to reestablish their offensive capabilities following months of sustained Israeli operations.

Among the high-value targets reportedly killed was Muhammad Abu Awwad, a senior Hamas operative overseeing precision missile development and serving as head of production and technical control within the terror group’s Weapons Production Headquarters. Other Hamas weapons production commanders killed include Bilal Abu Shikha, Tayseer Shareem, Mundhir Salami, and Mustafa Dababesh, the latter serving as deputy head of the department.

Strikes also dismantled key figures in Hamas’s Military Intelligence Unit, including Bilal Musallam and Ahmad Abu Shamala, while financial operative Rabi’ Mustafa Rabi’ Sukhweil–accused of transferring millions to Hamas’s military wing–was also eliminated.

From Islamic Jihad, Muhammad Al-Bayouk, a senior figure in its weapons production network, was killed. Additionally, Fadl Abu al-Ata, commander of Islamic Jihad’s Shejaiya sector and a key figure in the October 7 invasion, was targeted and killed. Another PIJ explosives specialist, Hamed Kamel Abd al-Aziz Iyad, was also eliminated.

Over the past 48 hours, the Israeli Air Force struck more than 150 targets across Gaza, including weapons depots, anti-tank missile launchers, booby-trapped buildings, sniper nests, and tunnel networks. This followed earlier strikes between Thursday and Saturday that hit an additional 250 targets.

IDF ground forces remain active across multiple sectors of Gaza, with operations ongoing in Beit Hanoun in the northeast, Shejaiya and Zeitoun neighborhoods in Gaza City, and Khan Yunis in the south. In one operation, troops identified and eliminated a terrorist preparing an imminent attack, coordinating with the Air Force for a precision strike.

In southern Gaza, the 188th “Barak” Armored Brigade, under the 36th “Rage” Armored Division, has uncovered and dismantled underground tunnel routes, including a kilometer-long stretch used for militant movement and arms transport.

The IDF also confirmed that six senior members of Hamas’s naval commando unit have been killed in recent months. These operatives were involved in maritime terror plots against Israeli civilians and were linked to planning the deadly October 7 attacks.

“These operations are part of our ongoing campaign to prevent Hamas and Islamic Jihad from regenerating their military capabilities,” the IDF stated. “We remain committed to protecting Israeli civilians and neutralizing the terror threat from Gaza.”

Five Southern Command divisions are currently engaged in dismantling terrorist infrastructure across the Palestinian enclave, both above and below ground, as Israel continues its Swords of Iron campaign.

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