Israel’s military said Thursday it killed a Hamas commander and his deputy as they tried to flee a tunnel in southern Gaza.
The army identified the men as Muhammad Jawad Muhammad al‑Bawab, commander of Hamas’ Eastern Rafah Battalion, and his deputy, Ismail Kanaan Abd al‑Hay Abu Labdeh. Two other battalion members were also killed, the statement said, adding that intelligence confirmed their deaths.
Israeli forces and the Shin Bet security agency said more than 40 Hamas militants have been killed attempting to exit tunnels in Rafah, where dozens remain trapped.
Despite a ceasefire, Israel has continued demolitions, raids and strikes in Gaza, killing at least 360 people and wounding 923 since Oct. 11, according to Gaza health authorities.