A Palestinian source told Al-Arabiya that Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem survived an assassination attempt in Gaza City, his bodyguard Muhammad al-Fayoumi was killed in the strike, and Qassem was wounded. The report follows earlier indications that Qassem had been seriously wounded.
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem survived an assassination attempt in Gaza City on Thursday evening, with his bodyguard Muhammad al-Fayoumi killed in the strike, according to Palestinian sources cited by Al-Arabiya. Qassem was wounded in the attack, but the extent of his injuries remains unclear, as reports have varied through the evening.
The Zioneer first reported at 17:50 that al-Fayoumi, a Hamas operative, was killed in the vehicle strike at Al-Abbas junction. At 18:39, footage captured the aftermath, with Gazan sources stating Qassem was in critical condition. By 18:59, a new report confirmed he was seriously wounded in what was described as an IDF assassination attempt. Earlier reports from Palestinian sources and Israeli journalist Sapir Lipkin, both at 18:19, had already indicated Qassem was seriously wounded and his bodyguard killed, with Lipkin citing sources in Gaza.
The targeting of a senior Hamas spokesman represents a significant operational development, though the IDF has not officially commented on the strike. Qassem is a prominent figure in Hamas's media apparatus. The Zioneer has previously reported on other targeted strikes against Hamas operatives in Gaza in recent weeks.
The report is based on a single Palestinian source and has not been independently corroborated. The IDF has not confirmed the operation, and the extent of Qassem's injuries — as well as whether this was a targeted assassination attempt — remain unverified.
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