Israel Claims Killed Hamas Weapons and Rocket Expert in Air Strike

Israeli military illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/IDF Spokesperson's Unit photographer)

JAKARTA - The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claims to have succeeded in killing one of Hamas' important figures, who is believed to be linked to the Palestinian militant group's production of strategic weapons, in an air strike last night.

Israel's military and internal security agency, the Shin Bet, said Muhsin Abu Zina, one of the leaders of weapons production for Hamas, who specialized in making strategic weapons and rockets, was killed in the Israeli attack.

They named Muhsin Abu Zina as head of the militant group's "industrial and weapons" division.

"An IDF fighter jet, under the direction of Shin Bet and Amman intelligence, killed Muhsin Abu Zina, who was the head of the Industry and Weapons Department at the Hamas production headquarters," wrote the IDF in X as quoted on November 8.

Previously, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said his troops had succeeded in reaching the heart of the Gaza Strip and then carried out operations inside.

"IDF troops are in the heart of Gaza City. They came from the north and south. They stormed the city with full coordination between land, air, and sea forces," said Minister of Defense Gallant in a televised press conference, reported by Reuters.

"They are maneuvering on foot, armored vehicles and tanks, along with military engineers from all directions and they have one target, Hamas in Gaza, their infrastructure, their commanders, bunkers, communication rooms. They are tightening the security around Gaza City." explained Minister of Defense Gallant.

As of last Tuesday, the death toll from Israeli air attacks on the Gaza Strip had reached 10,328, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, as quoted by Anadolu.

Among the dead, there were 4,237 children and 2,719 women, Gaza-based Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said at a press conference.

Meanwhile, more than 25,956 other people were also injured as a result of attacks by Israeli troops in Gaza, he added.

Apart from that, al-Qudra also urged the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross to protect health facilities and ambulances from Israeli attacks.

לוחמי צה"ל ממשיכים לפעול בעומק הרצועה, לחסל מחבלים ולהכווין כלי טיס לתקיפות תשתיות טרור.

מטוס קרב של צה"ל, בהכוונה מודיעינית של שב"כ ואמ"ן חיסל את מחסן אבו-זינה, ששימש כראש מחלקת התעשיות ואמצעי הלחימה במטה הייצור של חמאס>> pic.twitter.com/lub1CnzZ1S

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) November 8, 2023