The IDF launched a surprise attack in Gaza early Tuesday morning after the ceasefire collapsed with Hamas's refusal to release more Israeli hostages.
According to Arab media, among the senior terrorists were eliminated: Hamas political bureau member Mohammed Abu Ubaida al-Jammasi, Hamas political bureau member Issam al-Da'alis, Hamas political bureau member Yasser Harb, Hamas Ministry of Interior Director Mahmoud Abu Watfah, senior Hamas internal security official Bahjat Abu Sultan, and director of the Hamas Justice Ministry Abu Omar al-Hata.
Issam al-Da'alis, from Nuseirat, was a prominent leader in Hamas, and served as the head of the Government Follow-up Committee, often compared to the position of Prime Minister. He was considered one of the leading managerial and organizational figures in the terror organization. He actively participated in the Hamas government's general policy-making and served as the President of the Union of UNRWA Employees in Gaza. Da'alis also served as an assistant to Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh. He was reportedly killed in July 2024, but later it was learned that he was not present in the structure that he was thought to have been in.
Bahjat Abu Sultan oversaw internal operations in Gaza and was considered a prominent leader in the organization. He served as head of central operations in the Hamas Interior Ministry.
Yasser Harb's five sons, who were terrorists in Hamas's Nukhba Force, were killed in battle in Jabaliya during the war.
The attacks which began at 2:00 on Tuesday morning, were launched on the recommendation of the operational echelons, and after the hostage negotiation team got the impression that no hostages would be released soon and that Hamas is not expected to change its stance.
In the wake of the resumption of the fighting in Gaza, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit announced that following a situational assessment, changes were made to the IDF Home Front Command's defensive guidelines as of 2:00 a.m. Tuesday. As part of the changes, the areas of the communities near the Gaza Strip will change from Full Activity to Limited activity, meaning educational activity will not be allowed.
