Israeli strike targets Hamas official Ali al-Amoudi in Gaza

On October 3, 2026, an Israeli military operation targeted a specific apartment in the western part of Gaza City. Senior Israeli security sources identified the target as Ali al-Amoudi, a high-ranking member of the Hamas political bureau and a close associate of the late Yahya Sinwar. While authorities have not yet confirmed if al-Amoudi was killed, security officials stated it is almost certain he was present inside the building during the strike.

Al-Amoudi is regarded as a de facto top political leader of Hamas within the Gaza Strip, particularly following Sinwar's death. His background includes a period of imprisonment in Israel and his subsequent release in 2011 as part of the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange deal. Before the current conflict, he managed the organization's communication apparatus. Following recent developments, his influence has grown significantly, and he is currently vying for leadership of the Hamas political bureau in Gaza against Nizar Awadallah. Arab sources identify him as a key manager of critical organizational matters, and his status remains central to the group's hierarchy despite the uncertainty regarding his survival following today's attack.