The deputy commander of Hamas’s military wing in Gaza, Marwan Issa, has been confirmed dead after an Israeli airstrike more than a week ago. The news was announced by U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan, who stated that Mr. Issa, one of the highest-ranking officials in Hamas, had been killed in the strike.
Mr. Issa, who had been among Israel’s most wanted men, was targeted by Israeli military warplanes in an underground compound in central Gaza. His death marks a significant milestone in Israel’s campaign to eliminate the Hamas leadership in Gaza.
While experts caution that Mr. Issa’s death may not have a devastating impact on Hamas’s leadership structure, it is still a significant blow to the organization. Israeli officials have previously targeted Hamas leaders, only to see them quickly replaced.
Mr. Issa, who served as a deputy to Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas’s military wing, was described as an important strategist who played a key role as a liaison between Hamas’s military and political leaders. His death is seen as a loss for the Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing, but experts believe that the group will quickly recover.
Mr. Issa, who maintained a low profile and rarely appeared in public, was known for his role in negotiating prisoner swaps between Israel and Hamas. He was born in central Gaza in 1965 and spent time in prisons operated by both Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Overall, Mr. Issa’s death is a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, but it remains to be seen how it will impact the group’s operations in the long term.
