Israeli forces struck central Gaza over the weekend and killed three senior operatives from the Islamic Jihad terror organization. The strike deals a severe blow to the group, as the operatives continued advancing terror operations against Israeli forces and the state of Israel in violation of the ceasefire agreement.
Among those killed was Muhammad Atiya Hassan Abu Afash, head of Islamic Jihad’s engineering and specializations division, who worked extensively to attack Israeli forces. Killed alongside him was Farhat Zuhair Farhat Harara, deputy head of the engineering division and Abu Afash’s right-hand man.
Also killed was Abdullah Allah Riyad Masoud Qadum, who headed Islamic Jihad’s anti-tank division in the northern Gaza Strip. Qadum advanced numerous anti-tank operations against Israeli forces in recent years and was an active and central figure in the organization.
The operatives’ continued activity, in violation of the ceasefire agreement, is part of efforts by the Islamic Jihad terror organization—which took part in the October 7 massacre—to try to rebuild and strengthen its military capabilities. Israeli forces will continue operating against terror organizations in the Gaza Strip and removing any threat to Israeli forces and Israeli citizens. Forces under Southern Command are deployed throughout the area in accordance with the agreement and will continue operating to remove any immediate threat.