Israel Captures Senior Hamas Official Amid Gaza Raid that Killed Three

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced that a senior member of Hamas’ internal security service was seized during a special‑forces raid in Gaza City. The operation, carried out alongside a local pro‑Israeli militia, was followed by a targeted barrage of airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of two children and a woman, according to local medical providers.

Katz did not identify the captured official but emphasized that Israel’s forces pursue Hamas operatives “without delay” to dismantle terror infrastructures. Amid the raid, an independent source described the target as a high‑ranking Hamas security officer, a claim that the Israeli defence ministry corroborated in a statement confirming strikes on several designated positions aimed at neutralising threat actors.

The incident took place in the east of Gaza’s capital, where civilians reported heavy bombardment and visible destruction of vehicles. Witness footage captured chaotic scenes with gunfire echoing through narrow streets. The Israeli military denied any casualties among its special‑forces personnel, though other reports noted that some of the unit were wounded during the operation.

The Gaza war, triggered by the October 2023 Hamas offensive that killed around 1,200 Israelis and seized 251 hostages, has led to a continued escalation. According to the Hamas‑run health ministry, the Gaza Strip has suffered over 73,460 deaths—figures widely regarded by the United Nations as credible.