IDF eliminates top Hamas commander responsible for arming terrorists in Gaza
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Tuesday that they successfully targeted and killed a top Hamas leader, Muhammad al-‘Ajlah, who was responsible for arming terrorists with weapons used in attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops. Al-‘Ajlah served as the commander of Hamas’ Shejaiya battalion, a military unit known for its operations in the Shejaiya neighborhood of Gaza City.
This precise strike on Sunday marked the fifth commander of the Shejaiya battalion to be eliminated since the beginning of the conflict and the third since the renewed operations in Gaza. The IDF stated that extensive precautions were taken to minimize civilian casualties, including advanced warnings, precise munitions, and aerial surveillance.
The Shejaiya battalion is notorious for using urban guerrilla warfare tactics, tunnels, IEDs, and rocket launches during their operations. The recent killing of al-‘Ajlah follows previous high-profile eliminations within Hamas, including the death of terror chief Yahya Sinwar in October and the top military commander Mohammed Deif in July 2024.
The resumption of hostilities in March 18 led to a new ground operation in Gaza, with talks in Cairo on Monday failing to produce a breakthrough in restoring the ceasefire and freeing Israeli hostages. Hamas demands that Israel adhere to the ceasefire agreement and withdraw its forces from Gaza, while Israel insists on the elimination of Hamas and the return of remaining hostages.
Israel reports that there are 59 hostages still in captivity, with 35 believed to be deceased. Thirty-three hostages were released during the recent ceasefire, out of the 251 initially captured during the October 7, 2023 attacks.
The conflict intensifies as both sides remain steadfast in their demands, with no immediate resolution in sight. The situation remains volatile, with tensions escalating as the violence continues.
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