Sapir Lipkin (N12) reports that the head of Hamas's Internal Security Mechanism for the central Gaza Strip, identified as Wael al-Ludawi, was eliminated in an Israeli strike in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza. The report follows earlier unconfirmed accounts from Arab sources.
The Zioneer has tracked this story since initial reports earlier today. At 12:38 Jerusalem, we reported that an Israeli drone strike on a vehicle in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, killed two senior officials in Hamas's security mechanisms. Within the same minute, subsequent updates identified the killed officials as Wael al-Dadaoui and Ramaz Abu Zariq, based on security sources. Shortly after, Hamas's Interior Ministry confirmed the deaths, naming the internal security chief as Wa'el al-Ludawi and officer Ramiz Abu Zureik, and noting that the IDF had not confirmed the operation. Now, N12 journalist Sapir Lipkin independently reports the elimination of the internal security chief, identifying him as Wael al-Ludawi, corroborating the Hamas account.
The timeline of reports shows a rapid consolidation of information: initial Arab reports named the senior official as Wael al-Dadaoui, while Hamas's official statement used the name Wa'el al-Ludawi. The N12 report now provides an independent Israeli media confirmation of the elimination, using the name Wael al-Ludawi. The IDF has not yet issued a statement on the strike.
The elimination is part of an ongoing Israeli campaign against Hamas's security apparatus. As The Zioneer reported on July 15, the IDF has been conducting precision strikes targeting senior security officials, including the elimination of Mohammed Marwan Mohammed Salem, the military security chief for Hamas's Central Jabaliya Battalion.
The exact circumstances of the strike remain unclear, and the IDF has not officially confirmed the operation. The N12 report is based on journalist sources, not an official IDF statement.
6 developments
- DevelopingWael al-Dadaoui, Hamas's internal security chief, killed in IDF strike on his car
- DevelopingIDF kills Hamas military security chief for Central Jabaliya Battalion, three operatives in Gaza strike
- DevelopingIDF strike kills Hamas cell leader in southern Gaza; 8 reported dead in tent camp attack
- StrongIDF, Shin Bet confirm Hamas commander Jundiya eliminated, held three hostages and attended release ceremonies
Source and signal
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