People perform funerary prayers as they stand before the bodies of victims killed in Israeli bombardment next to a partially-collapsed building in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 2, 2024. AFP
It said that a strike on an underground compound in northern Gaza killed Rawhi Mushtaha, the head of the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip, and Sameh al-Siraj, who held the security portfolio for Hamas's political bureau, and Sami Oudeh, a commander.
"Mushtaha was one of Hamas' most senior operatives and had a direct impact on decisions relating to Hamas' force deployment," said the military in a statement.
It said Mushtaha was a close associate of Yahya Sinwar, the top leader of Hamas who helped mastermind the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
Sinwar is believed to be alive and in hiding inside Gaza.
There was no immediate comment from Hamas.
The military said the three commanders had taken refuge in a fortified underground compound in northern Gaza that served as a command and control centre.
*This story was edited by Ahram Online
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