Israeli forces have claimed that a senior commander of the Palestinian group Hamas was killed in an airstrike in southern Gaza, according to reports cited by Al Jazeera and statements issued by the Israeli military.
The incident took place amid ongoing hostilities in the Gaza Strip, where intense Israeli air operations continue to target what it describes as militant infrastructure and personnel linked to Hamas.
In a statement released via Telegram, the Israel Defense Forces said that a targeted airstrike conducted on Tuesday in southern Gaza resulted in the death of Sakar Abu Karim, identified as a cell commander within Hamas’s elite Nukhba unit. According to the Israeli military’s account, Abu Karim had taken part in the 7 October 2023 attack on the Kussufim area, during which Hamas fighters crossed into southern Israel.
The Israeli statement further claimed that another Hamas operative was also killed in the same strike. This individual was reportedly involved in communications operations within the group, although no further identifying details were provided at the time of the announcement.
The Israeli military has framed the operation as part of its broader campaign to dismantle Hamas’s operational command structure, particularly members linked to the Nukhba unit, which Israel has accused of playing a central role in the October 2023 cross-border assault.
Hamas has not issued an immediate public response to the latest claims regarding the deaths of its members. Independent verification of battlefield reports in Gaza remains difficult due to restricted access and the continuing intensity of the conflict.
The situation in southern Gaza continues to be highly volatile, with frequent airstrikes and ground operations reported in various areas. Humanitarian conditions across the territory remain under severe strain as hostilities persist.
Reported details of the incident
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Location of strike | Southern Gaza |
| Date of operation | Tuesday (as reported) |
| Target identified by Israel | Sakar Abu Karim |
| Alleged role | Nukhba unit cell commander |
| Additional casualty reported | One Hamas communications operative |
| Claimed involvement | 7 October 2023 Kussufim attack |
| Confirming party | Israel Defense Forces |
While the Israeli military has presented the strike as a targeted operation against high-value militant personnel, no independent confirmation has yet been made regarding the identities of those killed or the full circumstances of the attack.
