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The militant group confirmed on Tuesday that a senior Hamas military commander Ayman Nofal has died in the Gaza Strip, while the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continue their unprecedented bombardment of the isolated coastal region, anticipating a ground offensive in the coming days.
"The Al-Qassam Brigades—the military wing of Hamas—confirmed the death of Ayman Nofal in an airstrike on the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza on Tuesday," cited The Associated Press.
Nofal took responsibility for Hamas military operations in the central portion of the Gaza Strip. He involved himself in the formation of the militant group's "joint operations" room, which oversaw coordination with other armed Gaza-based groups, including Palestinian Islamic Jihad, according to AP.
The unprecedented IDF land, air, and sea bombardment of the besieged Palestinian region has killed him, making him the most high-profile militant killed since it began on October 7.
Who is Ayman Nofal?
An Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip killed Ayman Nofal, a top commander of Hamas' military wing. Hamas' General Military Council included Nofal and he also headed its military wing's Central Gaza Brigade.
Born and raised in the central Gaza Strip, Nofal was a prominent figure within the ranks of Hamas. He rose through the ranks to become a member of the General Military Council and took charge of the Central Gaza Brigade. His influence extended beyond his brigade, coordinating with other armed groups within the region.
Nofal’s military career was marked by several armed attacks against Israeli civilians. One of his most notable involvements was in the kidnapping of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. Shalit’s abduction by Hamas militants in 2006 and subsequent five-year captivity became a significant event in Israeli-Palestinian relations. Shalit was eventually released in 2011 as part of a prisoner exchange deal.
Reports suggest that he involved himself in several armed attacks against Israeli civilians and participated in kidnapping IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. Critics regard Nofal as the most high-profile Hamas commander that Israel's airstrikes in the Gaza Strip have killed.
The circumstances surrounding Nofal’s death highlight the escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas. On October 17, 2023, an Israeli airstrike targeted central Gaza’s Bureij refugee camp, resulting in Nofal’s death. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed his elimination, stating that Nofal was "the Commander of Hamas’ Central Brigade in Gaza and the former Head of Military Intelligence".
Nofal’s death marks a significant blow to Hamas’ military operations. As one of the group’s most dominant senior officials, his absence will undoubtedly impact the group’s strategic planning and coordination efforts. However, it also serves to highlight the ongoing conflict and volatility within the region.
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