The IDF announced Friday that it struck and killed Hudhaifa Khaled Suleiman Qawari, a company commander in Hamas's Khan Younis Brigade, in a Thursday airstrike in southern Gaza. The military said Qawari was actively advancing attacks on Israeli troops and posed an immediate threat, justifying the strike despite the ongoing ceasefire. Qawari had been involved in training Hamas operatives, transporting weapons, and rebuilding the group's capabilities, according to the IDF.
The IDF confirmed Friday that the Thursday airstrike in Khan Younis killed Hudhaifa Khaled Suleiman Qawari, a company commander in Hamas's Khan Younis Brigade. According to the military, Qawari was actively planning attacks against Israeli ground troops, training operatives, transporting weapons, and working to rebuild Hamas's capabilities — justifying the strike despite the ongoing ceasefire.
On Thursday, initial reports indicated that a Hamas commander had been eliminated in the strike, with Palestinian sources identifying the target as a company commander in the Al-Qassam Brigades (The Zioneer, Thu 15:08 Jerusalem). By Friday, the IDF formally identified Qawari and detailed his role in advancing terror plots, confirming the earlier identification.
The strike is the latest in a series of targeted operations against mid-level Hamas commanders in southern Gaza, which The Zioneer has reported on regularly, including the elimination of a battalion commander and other field commanders in recent weeks.
No additional casualties were reported in Thursday's strike. The ceasefire framework remains in effect, though Israeli officials continue to assert the right to self-defense against immediate threats.
4 developments
- DevelopingIDF names two Hamas operatives killed last week: Oct. 7 infiltrator and tunnel chief
- DevelopingIDF drone strike kills Hamas battalion commander in Khan Younis, second operative
- DevelopingIDF killed Hamas field commander in southern Gaza yesterday, report says
- StrongIDF strikes Hamas naval police headquarters and weapon warehouses in Gaza, kills commander
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