Hamas Ragukan Israeli Claims About The Death Of Deputy Commander Of The Izzuddin Al-Qassam Brigade Marwan Issa

Illustration of the celebration of the Hamas Anniversary. (Wikimedia Commons/Fars Media Corporation)

JAKARTA - A top Palestinian militant group official Hamas doubts Israel's claims regarding their success in killing Marwan Issa, one of their meilitar wing officials, in an air strike earlier this month.

"We do not believe in Israel's military claims about the alleged death of brother and jihad leader Marwan Issa," Hamas political bureau member Izzat al-Rishq wrote on his Telegram channel, quoted from The Times of Israel 27 March.

"Brigade Izzuddin al-Qassam (Hamas military wing) has a final decision on this issue," he added.

Earlier, Israeli spokesman Defense Forces (IDF) Rear Admiral Daniel totaled official confirmation at a press conference, Issa, who was considered the third most senior figure in the group, was killed in Israeli airstrikes in the central Gaza Strip on March 10.

"We have examined all intelligence information," Rear Admiral Daniel televised in a televised statement.

"Marwan Issa was killed in the attack we carried out about two weeks ago," he said.

The United States previously also announced Issa's death, although at the same time, Israel said it was still evaluating the results of the bombing.

Al-Rishq claims the timing of the news announcement by Israel was to contain the crisis facing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the failure (IDF) to achieve his goals.

Issa is at the top of Israel's list of most wanted people along with military wing commander Hamas, Al-Qassam Brigade Izzuddin Mohammed Def, as well as Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar, who is believed to have masterminded an attack on southern Israel last October 7.

Marwan Issa is the Deputy Commander of the Al-Qassam Izzuddin Brigade, quoted from Al Jazeera. He occupied the position in 2012, following the assassination of his predecessor Ahmed Jabari.

This made it the target of Israel's arrest, although it was recognized as difficult and earned the nickname 'Shaman' because of its ability to evade Israeli radar.

Issa is considered to have played an important role in a long series of terror attacks, from First Intifada to last October's attack.

Former Israeli military intelligence chief Amos Yadlin said Issa was a "connector between the military wing and the political wing of Hamas" and was considered one of five people familiar with all aspects of the October 7 attack.

Issa was listened to by Hamas officials in Gaza, the West Bank and Qatar, former Shin Bet official Ilan Lotan told Channel 12, highlighting how integral his position was in the militant group's daily operations.