On the third day of a major military operation in the West Bank, Israeli forces claim to have killed Wassem Hazem, a regional commander for the Hamas militant group. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Hazem was killed in the Sumeria area of the West Bank during a coordinated ground and aerial operation.
According to the IDF, Hazem was responsible for directing and carrying out shooting and bombing attacks against Israeli communities in the region. They released drone footage showing Israeli forces intercepting Hazem’s car, followed by a gunbattle in which Hazem is killed. Two individuals, identified as surviving Hamas militants, were then seen fleeing the scene and subsequently eliminated by a drone strike.
The IDF stated that two additional Hamas members, Maysara Masharqa and Arafat Amer, were killed alongside Hazem. These individuals were reported to have operated under Hazem’s command and were involved in shooting attacks against Israeli communities.
While the IDF reported the killing of three Hamas terrorists, including Hazem, on Friday, they also stated that seven terrorists were killed on Thursday. The military operation in the West Bank, now in its third day, has resulted in the deaths of 19 Palestinians, including suspected terrorists, according to a tally by AFP.
Despite Israel’s claims that the operation is necessary, the United Nations has expressed concern, warning that the military action could further escalate an already volatile situation in the region. The UN has urged Israel to end the operation, citing its potential to exacerbate tensions in the West Bank.
