Hamas Commander Killed in IDF Drone Strike Amid West Bank Clashes
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) killed Wissam Hazem, the commander of Hamas’s military wing in Jenin, along with two other operatives in a series of clashes and drone strikes on Friday morning.
The operation, which took place in the northern West Bank, was carried out in collaboration by the IDF, Shin Bet, and Israeli police.
Undercover Border Police officers targeted Wissam Hazem, who was inside the vehicle, and opened fire, killing him on the spot. The other two operatives tried to flee, but were killed by a drone strike. The IDF identified the two men as Maysara Masharqa and Arafat Amer, both of whom were affiliated with Hamas.
The operation is part of a larger IDF campaign in the West Bank to dismantle militant networks, particularly those affiliated with Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. According to Palestinian sources, at least 20 Palestinians have been killed as a result of the ongoing operation, which began earlier this week. Israel has identified 17 of them as militants. The IDF has used a variety of tactics, including drone strikes.
This escalation comes amid rising tensions in the West Bank, and it follows increased violence since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7. The operation has sparked international concern, with some officials warning that the ongoing conflict will further destabilize the region. Despite these concerns, the IDF maintains its efforts, citing the need to prevent future attacks on Israeli territory.
With input from CNN, BBC and the Times of Israel.
