The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) may have eliminated a key figure in Hamas's military wing, Marwan Issa, in a recent airstrike in the central Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian reports. If confirmed, the assassination of the deputy head of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades could mark a significant turning point in Israel's ongoing efforts to combat terrorism in the region.
An Israeli security official, speaking anonymously to Walla! News, confirmed that the IDF had indeed struck a target where the senior Hamas official was staying. The IDF and Shin Bet internal security agency reportedly carried out unusual operations over the weekend to reach Issa, who was believed to be underground near the Nuseirat refugee camp.
Marwan Issa, born in Al-Bureij, Gaza, joined Hamas at a young age and spent five years in an Israeli prison for terrorist activity. He was also held in custody by the Palestinian Authority but was released at the beginning of the Second Intifada. Issa played a crucial role in Hamas's takeover of Gaza in 2007 and even ordered the killing of three Fatah prisoners during that time.
Before Israel's disengagement from Gaza in 2005, the IDF considered Issa responsible for Hamas attacks on Israeli settlements and believed he was the first in the terror group to plan complex infiltration operations aimed at seizing control of settlements. In 2006, Issa was injured during an assassination attempt on Hamas leadership in the enclave.
As a member of Hamas's military wing, Issa rarely appeared in public. In 2011, he actively participated in the negotiations that led to the release of IDF soldier Gilad Schalit. In 2015, he occasionally spoke at Hamas conferences, calling for the terror group to double its manpower ahead of a future confrontation with Israel.
Tragedy struck Issa's family in 2018 when his brother and eldest son were killed by the IDF during riots near the border fence. Egypt's refusal to provide medical assistance to the injured terrorist sealed his fate.
If Issa's death is confirmed, it would be a significant blow to Hamas, as he was considered one of the most ruthless and dangerous terrorists to ever fill the ranks of the organization. As the third-highest-ranking official serving Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Issa's elimination would be a major victory for the IDF in its ongoing fight against terrorism.
The previously most senior Hamas official eliminated during the latest conflict was Saleh Al-Arouri, the terrorist organization's deputy head of its Political Bureau. Al-Arouri was responsible for heading a "convergence of arenas" between the West Bank, Gaza, and collaboration with Iranian proxies such as Hezbollah.
While Hamas is reportedly still investigating the incident, the potential loss of such a high-ranking member could have far-reaching implications for the organization's operations and morale. The IDF's ability to target senior Hamas officials, even those believed to be hidden underground, sends a powerful message about Israel's commitment to defending its citizens and combating terrorism.
