The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed to have eliminated Rashid Jahjuh, the head of the Hamas security forces in the Gaza Strip, on Thursday. Jahjuh, the IDF said, led "a central covert unit within Hamas."
In a statement, the IDF says the unit is tasked with “exposing 'collaborators,' protecting senior Hamas officials and assets inside Gaza and abroad, and suppressing opposition to Hamas rule.”
It also "operates to produce intelligence assessments that enable senior Hamas commanders to plan and execute terrorist attacks against the State of Israel."
Jahjuh, the army adds, “also oversaw Hamas propaganda activities aimed at influencing public opinion in Gaza.”
The same note states that Israel also eliminated in its attacks the head of the Khan Yunis sector (southern Gaza) of Hamas, Ayman Atsalih, and Ismail Abd al-Aal, whom they define as "a key terrorist of the arms smuggling unit of the Islamic Jihad."
"The arms smuggling unit is responsible for the transportation, storage, and smuggling of military equipment and weapons into the Gaza Strip," the military statement said.