Jerusalem [Israel], January 2 (HBTV): The Israel Air Force struck a Humanitarian area in Khan Yunis eliminating Hassam Shahwan, the head of Hamas Internal Security Forces in southern Gaza, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) announced on Thursday.

The IDF stated that Shahwan was responsible for developing intelligence assessments in coordination with elements of Hamas' military wing to orchestrate attacks on the IDF in Gaza.

'The head of Hamas Internal Security Forces in southern Gaza, the terrorist Hassam Shahwan, was eliminated by the IAF in an intelligence-based strike in the Humanitarian Area in Khan Yunis. Shahwan was responsible for developing intelligence assessments in coordination with elements of Hamas' military wing in attacks on the IDF in Gaza. The Hamas Internal Security Forces have conducted violent interrogations of the Gazan population, violating human rights and suppressing dissent within the organization,' the IDF said in a post on X.

Israel has been conducting military operations targeting Hamas operatives in the region. Earlier this week, the IDF confirmed the killing of Hamas' Nukhba Platoon commander, Abd al-Hadi Sabah, in a drone strike. According to the IDF, Sabah had led the attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7, 2023, massacre.

On December 30, the IDF announced the elimination of six Hamas terrorists who had participated in the October 7 massacre in Israel. Among them was Rasem Judeh, a Hamas company commander in the Jabaliya region, who was killed alongside four other Hamas commanders and five additional terrorists.

Additionally, the IDF reported that over 240 alleged Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives were arrested during a raid, and the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza is being questioned for suspected involvement in terrorist activities. (ANI)