'Hiding in fortified-equipped underground compound': How Israel took down Hamas government head in Gaza strip

The Israeli Defense Forces on Thursday announced that they killed the Hamas government chief Rawhi Mushtafa in an operation three months ago. The Israel's internal security agency (ISA) said that they neutralised Mushtaha during a joint operation with the IDA three months ago in Gaza strip.


The IDF announced the elimination via their X account and said that, "During a precise IDF and ISA intelligence-based strike, IAF fighter jets struck and eliminated the terrorists while they were hiding in a fortified and equipped underground compound in the northern Gaza Strip."

According to the IDF, Mushtaha, along with Sameh al-Siraj, who managed Hamas' security portfolio, and Sami Oudeh, commander of Hamas' General Security Mechanism, were killed in the strike. The operation was based on precise intelligence and carried out by Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter jets.



Israel justifying the delay in announcement of elimination said, "Hamas did not announce their deaths as it had done following previous eliminations to prevent the loss of morale and functioning of its terror operatives."



Rawhi Mushtaha was described as one of Hamas' most senior operatives, having played a key role in the organization's military and governance decisions. He was involved in coordinating Hamas' force deployments while serving as the head of civil governance in Gaza.

Mushtaha also held the Prisoners Affairs Portfolio and had previously managed Hamas' finances. He was known to be a close associate of Yahya Sinwar, with whom he had co-established Hamas' General Security Mechanism.

The IDF said that Mushtaha had considerable influence on Hamas' political bureau in Gaza and continued to engage in military activities against Israel during the conflict. "Mushtaha was Sinwar's right-hand man and one of his closest associates," the IDF said in the statement.




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