Hamas is “concerned” about studies that certainly one of its prime commanders was killed in a weekend air strike in Gaza, based on Israeli media.
Maariv, a Hebrew language newspaper, was amongst these to report the response from Palestinian sources following hypothesis about Marwan Issa’s destiny.
Issa, a deputy commander of Hamas’s army wing and often known as “shadow man” for his means to evade Israeli forces, was reportedly hiding underground in central Gaza throughout Saturday evening’s airstrike.
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He is considered a kind of behind Hamas’s 7 October assaults, by which 1,200 individuals had been killed and greater than 250 kidnapped – the opening salvo in a struggle that’s now in its sixth month.
Sky’s Middle East correspondent Alistair Bunkall stated: “If Issa is confirmed dead, he will be the highest-ranking Hamas leader killed in the war so far and it will represent a significant success for Israel.”
Israel’s army stated on Monday that it’s nonetheless attempting to verify whether or not Issa was amongst 5 Palestinians killed within the strike.
Military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated Issa was identified to make use of the underground compound, however its location made confirming the identities of the lifeless extra sophisticated.
“We are still examining the results of the attack and we have yet to get final confirmation,” he stated.
Meanwhile, hopes of a ceasefire to coincide with the start of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month which started right now, have been dashed.
The US, Qatar and Egypt had aimed to dealer a truce, to incorporate the discharge of dozens of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and the entry of much-needed humanitarian assist, however talks in Cairo stalled final week.
So, as a whole lot of hundreds in Gaza teeter getting ready to hunger, with assist deliveries few and much between, the joyful vacation feasts that often break the day by day fasting can be bleak affairs.
More than 30,000 Palestinians have died within the struggle, based on the Hamas-run Gaza well being ministry, and a few 80% of Gaza’s 2.3 million individuals have been pushed from their houses.
Israel’s defence minister had stated that if Hamas didn’t launch Israeli hostages by Ramadan, troops would transfer into Rafah, within the south of the Gaza Strip.
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But Sky’s army analyst Michael Clarke stated the Israeli Army “are not ready to go into Rafah”, having despatched a lot of their reserve troops residence to avoid wasting an economic system combating the absence of so many individuals.
“They’ve only got between a third and half of the troops in Gaza in total compared to those they started with and if they want to move into Rafah we’ll see it developing, we’ll see them positioning themselves for it and they’re not doing that at the moment.”
This wouldn’t cease Israel from bombing targets in Rafah, he stated, however total the stalemate left their technique unclear.
“To be honest, I think it has become militarily incoherent now. It’s difficult to see what the Israeli strategy is – are they going to pause? Are they going to move in after Ramadan? Are they going to bomb during Ramadan?
“None of their goals can be achieved within the quick time period, definitely, and right here we’re, six months in.
“The Americans originally said ‘we’ll give you until January to get this finished’ and here we are in March. It’ll go into April, it’ll go into May and they’ll still be chasing Hamas leaders in Rafah.”
Also on Monday, the spouse of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Sara, despatched a letter to the mom of Qatar’s emir pleading for her assist in getting the greater than 130 remaining Israeli hostages launched.
In her letter, Mrs Netanyahu, 65, informed Sheikha Moza bint Nasser al Missned that Ramadan was “a time for compassion and generosity”, including: “Woman to woman, it’s imperative to address that among the hostages, 19 women are enduring unimaginable hardships.
“Reports of sexual abuse and rape are horrifying and such acts in opposition to ladies can’t be ignored or tolerated.”
She added: “Your involvement might be instrumental in bringing them residence, providing a beacon of hope to their households, and taking a big step towards peace and reconciliation.”
Sheikha Moza bint Nasser al Missned is seen as one of the crucial highly effective figures within the rich kingdom however Qatar doesn’t formally recognise Israel and in addition has ties with its arch-enemy Iran.
Sky News has sought a response from her workplace.
Source: information.sky.com”