The Israeli military has confirmed the death of Marwan Issa, the deputy commander of Hamas’s military wing in Gaza and a key figure behind the Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel, in an Israeli airstrike earlier this month. This significant development marks a major blow to Hamas, as Mr. Issa was among Israel’s most wanted men and played a crucial role in the group’s leadership structure.
Mr. Issa, who served as a deputy to Hamas’s military leader Mohammed Deif, was known for his strategic thinking and as a liaison between the group’s military and political wings. His death has been described as a setback for Hamas, but experts believe that the organization will quickly replace him and continue its activities.
Despite his low profile and preference for staying out of the public eye, Mr. Issa was a key figure in Hamas’s operations, particularly in negotiations for prisoner swaps with Israel. Born in central Gaza in 1965, he spent time in Israeli and Palestinian prisons and was involved in planning various attacks against Israel.
While his death is a significant loss for Hamas, experts believe that the group will overcome this setback and continue its activities. The Israeli military sees this strike as a breakthrough in their campaign to eliminate Hamas leadership in Gaza, but the group has historically been able to quickly replace its leaders. The impact of Mr. Issa’s death on Hamas’s future remains to be seen.
