The Israel Defense Forces have claimed the killing of two top Hamas commanders responsible for orchestrating the surprise attack on the Gaza Strip last weekend.
According to the IDF, Ali Qadi, a company commander of the Hamas Nukhba commando force, was killed during an airstrike.
Israel and Hamas in Conflict
In 2005, Ali was arrested for the kidnapping and murder of Israeli nationals, therefore it is important to note that he had a serious prior occurrence in his past. He was later released, though, as a result of a 2011 prisoner trade.
Furthermore, Merad Aby Merad, the leader of the Hamas Aerial System in Gaza City and a key figure behind the recent violent attack, was also reportedly killed in an airstrike targeting Hamas headquarters. The deaths, however, have not been confirmed by Hamas leaders.
These reported fatalities come as the Israeli military is preparing for a ground assault against Hamas, prompting them to instruct over a million people in the northern part of the Gaza Strip to evacuate to the south in anticipation of the attack. The timing of this offensive, however, remains uncertain.
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Rafah Border Closure
In light of the escalating situation, United States officials have brokered a deal with Egypt, Israel, and Qatar to briefly open the Rafah border between Gaza and Egypt, allowing a five-hour window for U.S. citizens to escape.
The Palestinian Americans in Gaza have been informed of this action, which could prompt a stampede toward southern Gaza in an effort to elude the looming Israeli ground attack.
The Rafah border, which is the sole crossing point between Gaza and Egypt, had initially been closed off with the erection of a cement wall barrier by Egyptian officials following Israeli airstrikes.
This raised concerns about the safety of those seeking refuge, prompting calls from the European Union for the Israeli military to delay its attack, allowing more time for citizens to evacuate the area safely.
The situation remains tense, and the region watches with bated breath for further developments.
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