The Israeli military has claimed that a senior Hamas commander responsible for the group’s sniper operations was killed in an airstrike in central Gaza.
According to a report by Al Jazeera published on Thursday, Israel identified the commander as Omar Ahmed Abu Qasem, who it said served in Hamas’ armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
The military alleged that Abu Qasem played an active role in attacks targeting Israeli forces during the ongoing conflict. Hamas has not immediately commented on the Israeli claim, and it could not be independently verified.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes over the past two days have reportedly killed at least 12 people across Gaza despite a ceasefire that has been in effect since October 2025, according to Palestinian officials.
Gaza’s Health Ministry says more than 1,120 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire took effect. Israel has repeatedly said it continues to conduct operations against what it describes as militant targets in the enclave.
