Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his intention to lead the country to “absolute victory” in the war against Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip. In a video message he emphasizes: Above all, the leadership team must be wiped out.
“On the way to victory, we have already eliminated number four Hamas,” Netanyahu said on Monday. “Numbers three, two and one are on their way,” he added. “They’re all dead men, we’ll get them all.”
By number four in the Hamas hierarchy, the Israeli head of government probably meant top official Saleh al-Aruri, who was killed in an airstrike on his compound in the Lebanese capital Beirut in early January.
The targeted killing was attributed to Israel at the time, but Israel has not yet commented on it. With Netanyahu’s video message, Israel may have acknowledged responsibility for this attack for the first time.
Another Hamas leader killed?
Within Hamas, Al-Aruri was responsible for maintaining close relations with the pro-Iranian Shiite militia Hezbollah in Lebanon. He was therefore crucial for the acquisition of weapons for the Islamists in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu’s comments came hours after Israeli media reported the possible assassination of Gaza’s third-highest Hamas official, Marwan Issa.
Accordingly, on Sunday evening, the Israeli Air Force bombed a building in the Nuseirat refugee camp, where Issa was said to have been staying at the time. Israeli forces were still checking whether the top Hamas figure was actually among the victims of the airstrike.
The hunt for Yahya Sinwar
With numbers one and two, Netanyahu referred to the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, and the head of the Qassam Brigades, Mohammed Deif.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
