IDF ‘assassinates Hamas mastermind of October 7' who founded terror group's military wing in targeted Israeli airstrike
ISRAEL says it has killed one of the last masterminds behind the bloody October 7 attacks.
Senior Hamas commander Hakham Muhammad Issa Al-Issa was "eliminated" in a targeted airstrike on Gaza City, according to the IDF.
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The Israel Defense Forces said Al-Issa — described as a founding member of Hamas' military wing — was 'eliminated' in an operation on the Sabra neighbourhood.
'Issa led Hamas' force build-up, training, and planned the October 7 massacre,' the IDF posted on X.
As Head of Combat Support, he advanced aerial & naval attacks against Israelis.
'The IDF & [Israel Security Agency] will continue to locate and eliminate all terrorists involved in the October 7 massacre.'
According to Palestinian reports, Al-Issa was killed along with his wife and grandson, though this has not been independently confirmed.
The IDF later said it had verified his death, according to The Jerusalem Post.
Al-Issa is widely believed to have played a pivotal role in orchestrating the October 7 assault on southern Israel that triggered the current war, with terrorists slaughtering kidnapping dozens of innocent people.
The military described him as a 'central knowledge figure' and a high-value target who was instrumental in building Hamas' training and weapons programmes.
The IDF said in a statement: 'In the past, Issa led Hamas' force-buildup efforts in the Gaza Strip, was one of the founders of its military wing, served as Head of the Training Headquarters, and was a member of Hamas' General Security Council.
'Additionally, Issa played a significant role in the planning and execution of the brutal October 7 massacre.'
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