Israeli Forces Capture Hamas Internal Security Chief in Gaza City Raid
Israeli Capture of Senior Hamas Official
Israeli special forces captured the head of Hamas's internal security service, identified as Mu'in al-Arabid, during a raid in Gaza City. [1] An Israeli security official identified the Hamas leader as Mu'in al-Arabid, head of the General Security Apparatus, saying he was arrested during an Israeli incursion deep inside Hamas territory in Gaza. [1] The IDF and Shin Bet conducted the operation on Tuesday in Gaza City. [2] Israel's military and Shin Bet security service said a special forces unit arrested him in Gaza City on Tuesday and then took him to Israel for questioning. [2] Israel's prime minister commended the special forces for what he called the "daring operation" to arrest Hamas's internal security chief near his home. [2] Netanyahu said the man was "engaged in attempts to restore Hamas's governance in Gaza and in deception concerning the demilitarisation of the Strip". [2] Netanyahu added that the arrested Hamas leader was responsible for concealing and transporting hostages, for sheltering senior Hamas figures, and for military build-up and attempts to restore the capabilities of the terror organisation. [2] Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that a senior Hamas terrorist was arrested and that this is Israel's policy of pursuing Hamas terrorists, thwarting them, and destroying their terrorist infrastructure. [1]
Airstrikes and Palestinian Casualties
Israeli air strikes carried out during the raid killed at least four Palestinians, including two children and a woman, medics said. [2] The IDF carried out airstrikes to cover the raid's withdrawal. [1] During the operation, the Israeli Air Force struck several targets in the area in order to remove threats to the forces. [2] On Tuesday morning, Palestinians in the crowded Katiba area of western Gaza City reported heavy Israeli bombardment, with two vehicles hit and turned to wreckage. [2] Videos captured chaotic scenes, with the sound of gunfire and the aftermath of strikes. [2] A witness named Wafika al-Helou, who lives in a tent in the area, told AFP news agency that a jeep stopped in the middle of the street and started firing indiscriminately left and right, continuing for more than 15 minutes. [2] Another witness, Mutaz Abu Asr, said there were five or six strikes in less than three minutes. [2] In a separate incident on Tuesday, hospital officials in central Gaza said a Palestinian girl was killed by gunfire from Israeli troops east of the town of Deir al-Balah. [2] The IDF also said it had carried out a strike on a commander of Hamas's military wing in the Jabalia area, north of Gaza City. [2]
Israeli special forces captured Hamas internal security chief Mu'in al-Arabid during a raid in Gaza City. — Source: bbc
Hamas Response and Ceasefire Claims
Hamas condemned Israel's actions as a "grave crime" and violation of their ceasefire. [2] A spokesman for Gaza's Hamas-run government media office, Ismail al-Thawabta, said an Israeli special forces unit attempted to carry out a security operation in Gaza City, but the unit was exposed while carrying out the mission. [2] The ensuing Israeli strikes resulted in a number of people being killed and others injured, in addition to the deaths of several members of the special forces unit, he added. [2] Later, Hamas issued a statement saying that the Israeli raid and strikes in a densely populated area constituted a serious crime, a deliberate disregard for the lives of civilians, and an extension of the brutal war of annihilation against the people in the Gaza Strip. [2] Palestinian media reported that Israeli special forces and Israel-backed Palestinian militiamen opposed to Hamas entered the area, but that their presence was discovered. [2] Some Israeli media suggested that only a local armed militia operated on the ground. [2]
Israeli Policy on Gaza Security
Israel Katz said in a statement that nearly 70% of the Gaza Strip has been destroyed, with no residents, no tunnels, and no homes, and the IDF controls the territory. [1] Katz added that Israel is not leaving Gaza until the Strip is demilitarized, Hamas is disarmed, and all terrorist tunnels are destroyed. [1] Even after that, the IDF will remain in Gaza along defensive lines and ensure the security of the western Negev communities, according to Katz. [1] Any attempt to bypass the security zone through aerial launches will be met with a harsh response, he added. [1] Netanyahu and Katz emphasized that Israel will not withdraw from Gaza until it is demilitarized, Hamas is disarmed, and tunnels are destroyed, and that the IDF will maintain a security zone. [1] The IDF and Shin Bet announced in a joint statement that no IDF injuries were reported during the operation. [2]
Israeli forces captured Hamas internal security chief Mu'in al-Arabid during a raid in Gaza City. — Source: anadolu
U.S. Involvement and Broader Context
The raid comes weeks after President Donald Trump's administration demanded that Hamas disarm and give up control of Gaza in August. [1] Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, traveled to Israel last month and said the IDF may receive U.S. backing to finish the job. [1] Kushner told Fox News' Trey Yingst that if Hamas does not follow through on their commitment, everyone will see that they are not genuine about peace, and then Israel will have a lot more support from the U.S. and others to go and finish the job in the appropriate way. [1] The warning from Trump’s son-in-law followed a rare face-to-face meeting with Hamas in Egypt. [1] Kushner continued that they said all the right things, but it is very hard to trust a terrorist organization that committed these terrible atrocities, though the meeting was cordial and they will give them a chance to perform based on actions and steps. [1] The U.S.-led Board of Peace proposal centers on a phased ceasefire, demilitarization of Gaza, Israeli troop withdrawal, Palestinian technocratic governance and international reconstruction efforts. [1] Netanyahu rejects the Board of Peace's Gaza plan with no withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed. [1]
Casualty Toll and Ongoing Incidents
The Gaza war was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, when about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. [2] Since then, more than 73,460 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry, whose figures are considered reliable by the UN. [2] Gaza's Hamas-run Civil Defence rescue service said one of its first responders was seriously injured in a strike that targeted a person who had been passing by his station in Jabalia. [2] Palestinian sources reported that Israeli fire and strikes in the Katiba and Rimal areas of Gaza City killed at least four Palestinians, including two children and a woman. [2] Witnesses described heavy bombardment, indiscriminate gunfire, and chaotic scenes. [2] Fresh Israeli attacks in Gaza killed two Palestinians despite the ceasefire. [4]
What to watch next: Israeli officials have stated they will pursue Hamas terrorists and maintain a security zone in Gaza while the U.S.-led Board of Peace proposal advances phased ceasefire and demilitarization steps.
