Toba Owojaiye Reporting
In the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, Israel has announced the killing of two top Hamas commanders in a series of airstrikes. Ali Qadi, a figure previously arrested by Israel in 2005 for the kidnapping and murder of civilians, was released into the Gaza Strip as part of the 2011 Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange.
Notably, he led the ‘Nukhba’ commando force, which recently targeted Israeli civilians in a deadly attack. Israel’s Air Force revealed a video showing a massive explosion at a Hamas base where Qadi was reportedly located, confirming his death.
Additionally, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the killing of Murad Abu Murad, the leader of Hamas’ air forces. He played a crucial role in coordinating the attacks using hang gliders, which took place last Saturday. The Israeli Air Force stated on Twitter that they had attacked the operational headquarters of Hamas, where aerial activities were managed, resulting in Murad Abu Murad’s death.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been escalating, leading to more than 3,000 casualties, including 27 U.S. citizens, with thousands more injured.
The U.S. State Department has initiated the chartering of flights for American citizens wishing to leave Israel, with the first such flight landing in Athens. Israel has ordered 1.1 million people in Gaza to evacuate, suggesting preparations for a ground operation against Hamas. However, the United Nations has expressed concern about the devastating consequences of such an evacuation and urged a reconsideration.
Tragically, a Reuters journalist lost his life when their crew was struck by Israeli shelling near the Lebanon border. Furthermore, there are reports of several Americans missing, with U.S. officials confirming at least 27 American casualties in the conflict. Additionally, a small number of Americans are believed to be held hostage by Hamas. The situation remains dire, with international concerns growing over the impact on civilians and the potential for further escalation in the region.
