In another blow to Hamas , Israel’s military announced Thursday that it had killed Rawhi Mushtaha , a senior Hamas leader, in an airstrike on a northern Gaza compound about three months ago. Mushtaha, along with two other Hamas commanders, Sameh Siraj and Sameh Oudeh, were killed in the strike.
The military reported that the three were inside an underground command and control center in Gaza at the time of the attack. Mushtaha was a key associate of Yahya Sinwar , the Hamas leader who was involved in the October 7 attack on Israel. While Mushtaha was killed, Sinwar is believed to still be alive and hiding in Gaza.
In the past two weeks, Israel has started its ground openration in Lebanon, just days after it had killed 7 Hezbollah leaders in 10 days.
Who is Rawhi Mushtaha?
The military reported that the three were inside an underground command and control center in Gaza at the time of the attack. Mushtaha was a key associate of Yahya Sinwar , the Hamas leader who was involved in the October 7 attack on Israel. While Mushtaha was killed, Sinwar is believed to still be alive and hiding in Gaza.
In the past two weeks, Israel has started its ground openration in Lebanon, just days after it had killed 7 Hezbollah leaders in 10 days.
Approximately 3 months ago, in a joint IDF and ISA strike in Gaza, the following terrorists were eliminated:
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 3, 2024
🔴Rawhi Mushtaha, the Head of the Hamas government in Gaza
🔴Sameh al-Siraj, who held the security portfolio on Hamas' political bureau and Hamas' Labor Committee
🔴Sami… pic.twitter.com/6xpH6tOOot
Who is Rawhi Mushtaha?
- Responsible for Hamas' civil governance in the Gaza Strip, managing the organization’s civil affairs throughout the war.
- Yahya Sinwar’s right-hand man, co-founded Hamas' General Security Services with Sinwar.
- The most senior member of Hamas's Political Bureau in Gaza, overseeing civil affairs.
- Managed the Prisoners Affairs Portfolio within Hamas’ Political Bureau.
- Previously held the finance portfolio, overseeing financial operations north of Wadi Gaza.
- Joined Hamas in 1987 and co-founded its military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
- Played a major role in creating Hamas's internal security apparatus, Al-Majd, focusing on counter-espionage.
- Arrested by Israel in 1988 and released in 2011 as part of the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange.
- Listed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the US Department of State in 2015.
- Coordinated Hamas's dealings with Egyptian security officials, including managing the Rafah border crossing.
