The Israel Defence Forces on Saturday claimed that its fighter jets killed the head of Hamas's aerial array in overnight airstikes.
The IDF has identified the head of Hamas's aerial array as Asem Abu Rakaba, who was allegedly involved in the October 7 surprise attack on Israel military and civilians.
Who was Asem Abu Rakaba?
Asem Abu Rakaba, the head of Hamas's aerial array, was responsible for the Gaza-based militant group's unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, paragliders, aerial detection and defence, according to the IDF.
Rakaba allegedly commanded the Hamas militants who infiltrated Israel on paragliders, according to the Israel military. He was also behind the drone attacks on IDF posts, claimed the Israel security force.
In a post on X, IDF stated, “Overnight, IDF fighter jets struck Asem Abu Rakaba, the Head of Hamas' Aerial Array. Abu Rakaba was responsible for Hamas' UAVs, drones, paragliders, aerial detection and defense.”
”He took part in planning the October 7 massacre and commanded the terrorists who infiltrated Israel on paragliders and was responsible for the drone attacks on IDF posts,” the post added.
Death of Murad Abu Murad
On October 14, the IDF claimed that it killed Murad Abu Murad, the head of Hamas’s air force, in an overnight airstrike that targeted the headquarters of Hamas aerial activities in Gaza.
“Last night, IAF fighter jets conducted wide-scale strikes throughout the Gaza Strip. These included dozens of Hamas terror targets as well as 'Nukhba' terrorist operatives that were in a staging ground in the Gaza Strip,” the Israeli Air Force had posted on X.
Abu Murad allegedly directed Hamas attackers who crossed the Israeli border from the air on hang gliders on October 7, according to The Times of Israel.