According to multiple reports, one of Hamas’ top military commanders has died in an Israeli airstrike in central Gaza.

“Ayman Nofal was a member of Hamas’ General Military Council and the commander of a brigade, the group said. He is the highest-ranking Hamas death since the war began,” NBC News reports.

The Israel Defense Forces stated:

We just eliminated Ayman Nofal, a senior Hamas operative.

Nofal was the Commander of Hamas’ Central Brigade in Gaza and the former Head of Military Intelligence.

Nofal directed many attacks against Israeli civilians and besides being one of the most dominant figures in the terrorist organization, he was involved in the planning of the abduction of Gilad Shalit.

We won’t stop until we eliminate Hamas.

NBC News reports:

The Israel Defense Forces and Israel Securities Authority confirmed the strike in a statement, calling Nofel “one of the most dominant figures” in Hamas and a close associate of Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas’ military wing.

“In the past, Nofal was responsible for overseeing the manufacturing and developing of weapons, promoted and took part in many terrorist attacks, and was also involved in planning the abduction of Gilad Shalit,” the statement said.

Shalit, an Israeli soldier, was taken hostage by Hamas in 2006 and held for five years. He was released in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

Just the News added:

Nofal was killed in the central Gazan city of Bureij, the Qassam Brigades said on the messaging platform Telegram.

Nofal is the most high-profile militant to die in the latest Israel-Hamas war.

His reported death comes as the war threatens to spiral into a multi-front conflict including Iran-backed terrorist groups in Syria and Lebanon while nearly 200 people from Israel remain captive in Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas.

 

Join The Conversation. Leave a Comment.


We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.