Israel conducted a targeted operation to eliminate one of Hamas' top leaders.
The IDF cleared the airstrike for publication today, but is still trying to confirm whether Marwan Issa was successfully killed. The strike targeted an underground complex in the Nuseirat refugee camp where Issa was suspected of hiding.
Issa is Hamas’ third in command and serves as the deputy of Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas’ military command. Together with Hamas’ leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, they masterminded the October 7 massacre.
In a video published today, Prime Minister Netanyahu said: "We are on our way to complete victory. We have already killed number four in the Hamas; three, two, and one are on the way."
Number four refers to Saleh al-Arouri — a founding commander of Hamas’ military command and its top military commander in the West Bank — who was killed in January in Lebanon.
"We will reach everyone," Netanyahu concluded.
Hamas leaders using Ramadan to escalate violence, survive war
The Wall Street Journal reports that "Hamas leaders are betting that the holy month of Ramadan can turn the momentum of the war in Gaza in their favor, heaping diplomatic pressure on Israel to stop its offensive and help secure [Hamas’] survival."
"Hamas’ chief in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, is also calculating that Ramadan… could spark violence near religious sites in Jerusalem, expanding the conflict beyond Gaza and drawing Iran and Hezbollah deeper and more directly into his war against Israel."
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant revealed today that Iran is seeking to promote major terror attacks by smuggling "high-quality" weapons into the West Bank. "We must prepare for an increase in terror during Ramadan," which began yesterday, Gallant added.
Gallant: Sea corridor for Gaza aid will help defeat Hamas
In separate remarks, Gallant said that the American-led plan to provide additional aid to Gaza via a temporary seaport would help speed along Israel’s goal of toppling Hamas.
His comments came as the U.S. military dispatched a vessel to the region with equipment to construct a dock, and as a boat filled with aid idled off the coast of Cyprus.
"The process is designed to bring aid directly to the residents and thus continue the collapse of Hamas’ rule in Gaza," Gallant said while touring the Gaza coast.
CENTCOM commander testifies on threats in Middle East
Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla, the top U.S. general in the Middle East, testified before Congress last Thursday on the threats to America in the region, most notably Iran.
"There is some, but not enough" cost on Iran for its activities, Kurilla said at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which leads operations in the Middle East.
He called for a "whole-of-government approach" to address the Iranian threat, arguing that the deterrence achieved by U.S. strikes on Iranian proxies in recent months is unlikely to last.
Addressing Iran’s nuclear threat, the CENTCOM commander said Iran could create enough weapons-grade uranium within "a matter of weeks" for three nuclear weapons.
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