Israel kills over 41,000 Gaza civilians, numerous Hamas leaders since Oct.7
Al-Qassam Brigades Spokeperson Abu Obeida, Gaza Strip, May 11, 2021. (AA Photo)
Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza have resulted in the deaths of over 41,000 civilians since Oct. 7, leading to genocide charges against the country in the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Amid these assaults, Israel has also targeted numerous high-ranking Hamas officials, including prominent leaders.
Notably, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in a drone strike while attending the inauguration ceremony of Iranian President Mesoud Pezeshkian in Tehran.
Following this, Hamas announced that Yahya Sinwar has assumed leadership.
However, Israeli media speculated that Sinwar may have been killed on Sept. 23, a claim that remains unconfirmed.
Other senior figures killed include Saleh al-Arouri, head of Hamas’ West Bank Affairs, and Marwan Issa, commander of the military wing, Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades.
Additionally, there are unverified reports regarding the death of Mohammad Deif, who orchestrated the Oct. 7 “Al-Aqsa Flood Operation.”
With much of Hamas’ leadership killed, only a few prominent figures remain, including Khaled Meshaal, leader of Palestinian Diasporic Affairs and Salamah Katawi, head of affairs for imprisoned members.
Issam al-Da’alis, Prime Minister of the Gaza government, is also still alive.
The survival of these Hamas leaders is believed to boost morale among the people of Gaza and influence the resistance movement.
This is why Israel, seeking to dismantle the resistance in Gaza, is likely to continue its attacks targeting remaining Hamas leaders.
