GAZA STRIP — The Israel Defense Forces conducted an airstrike in the central Gaza Strip on Saturday. The military confirmed on Monday that this strike killed three senior members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
The individuals killed were identified as Muhammad Atiya Hassan Abu Afash, Farhat Zuhair Farhat Harara, and Abdallah Allah Riyadh Masoud Qadoum. The military identified Muhammad Atiya Hassan Abu Afash as the head of Islamic Jihad's Engineering and Specializations Array and stated that he was responsible for developing the group's engineering capabilities. Afash also participated in attacks against Israeli soldiers.
Farhat Zuhair Farhat Harara served as Afash's deputy in the engineering array, according to the military. Abdallah Allah Riyadh Masoud Qadoum served as head of Islamic Jihad's anti-tank missile array in northern Gaza. The military stated Qadoum advanced anti-tank attacks against Israeli forces over recent years.
A military spokesperson claimed these three individuals planned attacks against Israel, violating an existing ceasefire agreement. The spokesperson also stated that the individuals worked to rebuild Islamic Jihad's operational capabilities following events on October 7, 2023. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated during a government meeting on Sunday that Israel controls 60 percent of the Gaza Strip's territory. Netanyahu also stated that Israel's territorial control in Gaza will soon reach 70 percent.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir visited the Gaza Strip on Sunday. "The multi-faceted reality continues to be the primary framework. The IDF is strengthening operational control on the ground and continues to erode Hamas's power. We will continue to act until we achieve the goal of disarming Hamas. I send my condolences to the family of the deceased and wish a full recovery to the injured," Zamir said. "We are not allowing them to rearm or harm us, and we are also eliminating their senior commanders." Netanyahu said. The IDF stated that Israeli forces under Southern Command remain deployed in southern Gaza.
No independent assessment of Israel Defense Forces’s claims was available.