Israel says it killed Hamas co-founder in Gaza City strike

The Israeli Defense Forces and the Israel Securities Authority killed Hamas co-founder Hakham Muhammad Issa Al-Issa in a strike in Gaza City on Friday, a statement from the IDF said

The Israeli Defense Forces and the Israel Securities Authority killed Hamas co-founder Hakham Muhammad Issa Al-Issa in a strike in Gaza City on Friday, a statement from the IDF said.

Al-Issa was hit in the area of Sabra within the city, the statement said.

“Hakham Muhammad Issa Al-Issa was a key source of knowledge and one of the last remaining senior Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip who held high-ranking positions before October 7th, 2023,” the IDF said.

The Israeli military described Al-Issa as a senior figure in the militant group’s military wing and said he was considered a founder of both Hamas itself and Hamas’ military wing. At the time of his death, he was serving as head of its combat support headquarters.

Al-Issa was also a member of Hamas’ General Security Council, the IDF said. In the past, Al-Issa led the group’s “force-buildup efforts in the Gaza Strip” and served as head of the training headquarters.