Israeli forces kill senior Hamas commander in Gaza

On September 29, 2026, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the killing of Izz al-Din al-Beik, described as the commander of Hamas' armed wing in the northern Gaza Strip. The operation occurred during a pre-dawn airstrike targeting an apartment building in the Nasr neighborhood of Gaza City. According to local health officials, at least one other individual died in the strike, while reports indicate additional casualties occurred in separate incidents near Jabalia. Israeli officials stated that al-Beik was involved in recruiting militants and planning attacks against Israeli forces.

The strike is part of a broader intensification of Israeli military operations this month, which the military claims has resulted in the deaths of at least 20 Hamas figures involved in the October 7, 2023, attacks or hostage situations. In related developments, Defense Minister Katz warned that Hamas leaders abroad remain targets and will not be safe. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu has cautioned that there are indications of potential threats against Israel ahead of the upcoming elections on October 27, prompting the political opposition to demand an urgent security briefing to ensure these warnings are grounded in intelligence rather than political maneuvering.