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Israel kills senior Hamas military intelligence leader in Gaza strike
According to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), the strike also resulted in the deaths of more than 10 militants
- PUBLISHED: Fri 19 Sept 2025, 3:50 PM UPDATED: Fri 19 Sept 2025, 4:05 PM
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The Israeli military announced on Friday that it had killed Sim Mahmoud Yusuf Abu Alkhir, Deputy Head of Military Intelligence in Hamas’ Bureij Battalion, during an airstrike in northern Gaza.
According to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), the strike also resulted in the deaths of more than 10 militants and the dismantling of over 20 military infrastructure sites.
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The IDF added that its forces are continuing expanded operations in Gaza City, while troops in Khan Yunis and Rafah remain engaged in targeting what it described as ongoing “terror threats.”
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This announcement comes after Israel launched its long-anticipated ground offensive in Gaza on September 16, forcing thousands to flee their homes.
The strikes happened shortly after visiting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio backed its goal of eradicating Hamas in Gaza.
A United Nations probe, meanwhile, charged Israel with committing "genocide" in the Palestinian territory and accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials of incitement.
During the night, the military unleashed a massive bombardment of Gaza City as Israeli troops moved deeper into the territory's largest urban hub.
"Last night, we transitioned into the next phase, the main phase of the plan for Gaza City... Forces have expanded ground activity into Hamas's main stronghold in Gaza, which is Gaza City," a military official told journalists.
"We are moving towards the centre" of Gaza City, he said. When asked whether troops had moved deeper into central Gaza City he replied: "Yes."
The military estimated there were "2,000-3,000 Hamas" militants operating in the area, he added.
Israeli tanks were also advancing on Thursday (September 18) in two Gaza City areas that are gateways to the city centre, while internet and phone lines were cut off across the Gaza Strip, a sign that ground operations were likely to further escalate imminently.
Israeli forces control Gaza City's eastern suburbs and in recent days have been pounding the Sheikh Radwan and Tel Al-Hawa areas, from where they would be positioned to advance on central and western areas where most of the population is sheltering.
(Inputs from Reuters)
