On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, the Israeli military launched a precise airstrike on the Gaza Strip, targeting and killing Mohammad Abu Elwan, the head of Hamas’ finance department. The Israeli authorities confirmed that the operation was carried out jointly by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet).
According to reports from the Palestinian Ministry of Health and medical personnel on the scene to Reuters, the Israeli military carried out an airstrike on a moving vehicle in the western Khan Younis area in southern Gaza, resulting in the deaths of Hamas finance chief Elwan and another Palestinian, Osama Abu Khater, with two others injured.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz of Israel issued a joint statement commending the military and intelligence agencies for their precise targeting. The statement emphasized that Israel will not allow Hamas to rebuild its strength and will continue to pursue its leaders and cut off its sources of funding until Hamas disappears from Gaza.
“We will continue to pursue Hamas commanders and operatives, strike their financial resources, and destroy their terrorist infrastructure,” the statement read. “We will never give Hamas a chance to breathe and rebuild; we will not rest until the Hamas forces in Gaza are completely eliminated.”
This operation is also related to recent warnings issued by Israel regarding cross-border threats from Gaza. Israeli security authorities recently pointed out that armed groups in Gaza have been frequently launching drones, balloons, and kites into Israeli territory. If these activities do not cease immediately, the military will intensify its precise strikes against those responsible and evacuate the surrounding population.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem responded to these allegations by saying that Israel’s claims of “kites and drones” are fabricated excuses aimed at intensifying attacks on Gaza and disrupting existing ceasefire agreements. Hamas called on the United States and other mediators, as well as the United Nations Security Council, to press Israel to stop escalating the situation.
The conflict sparked in October 2023 when Hamas attacked Israel, despite reaching a ceasefire agreement mediated by the United States last year. However, due to disagreements over key terms such as “Hamas disarmament” and “Israeli complete withdrawal,” both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violating the agreement.