The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israeli Security Agency (ISA) have killed notorious Hamas commander Mohammed al-Habil and Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s Northern Gaza Brigade chief Ali Raziana in a precision joint military operation. The airstrike was carried out in response to apparent violations of the recent ceasefire, in which terrorist groups had intensified attacks on Israeli areas.
According to the IDF, Mohammed al-Habil was directly accused of the brutal murder during his captivity of Israeli Corporal Noah Marciano. Noah Marciano was abducted from the Nahal Oz military post during the horrific Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. She was posted as an observer soldier in the Israeli army. The confirmation of his brutal murder during captivity sparked public outrage across Israel, and the family demanded justice.
The IDF officially confirmed this ‘elimination’ through a video and statement released on social media, saying, “This action will bring justice to the family of Noah Marciano. We will not, under any circumstances, spare those who commit violence against our soldiers and civilians.”
Big military blow for Islamic Jihad
Ali Raziana, on the other hand, was the supreme commander of Islamic Jihad’s Northern Gaza Brigade. He not only masterminded the deployment of terrorist groups and the organization’s defense plans, but also supervised the captivity of hostages during the entire Gaza conflict. Based on IDF intelligence inputs, this attack was carried out in the dark of night, in which both the terrorists were present in their hideout. Experts believe that Raziana’s elimination would prove to be a major military blow to Islamic Jihad, as he was the backbone of the organization in northern Gaza.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office and the army have issued a clear warning that any terrorist violating the ceasefire will be targeted. This incident may further increase regional tensions amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. There has been no official reaction from the Palestinian side yet, but Hamas has termed it an ‘Israeli attack’.
loss so far
After the ceasefire: Israeli attacks have so far killed about 560 people (according to Gaza authorities), while 4 Israeli soldiers have been killed.
Since the beginning of the war: More than 71,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023.
Casualties in Israel: About 1,200 Israelis were killed in the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
In January, US President Donald Trump had announced the second phase of ceasefire, in which talks were to be held on the reconstruction of Gaza. But major issues like withdrawal of Israeli army and release of weapons by Hamas are still stuck.