The Israeli military claimed on Wednesday that a top Hamas weapons maker was killed in airstrikes along with several fighters.
The development comes as Israel intensified its air and ground offensive to target Hamas operatives hiding in the vast tunnel network beneath the Gaza Strip.
Israel had earlier said that its defence forces have encircled Gaza City, which in the main stronghold of Hamas, as they advance to the heart of the Palestinian city.
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According to the Israeli military's statement, Mahsein Abu Zina, a senior Hamas armorer, was killed in an airstrike. Another strike targeted militants who were planning to fire anti-tank missiles, it added.
Zina was responsible for Hamas rocket production, according to The Times of Israel.
The Israel Air Force posted on X, “An Air Force fighter jet, under the intelligence guidance of the Shin Bet and Amman, destroyed the Abu Zina warehouse, which served as the head of the Industries and Weapons Department at the Hamas production headquarters.”
Also read: Murad Abu Murad: Hamas aerial operations chief killed in overnight strikes, says Israel
In another post, the IAF wrote, “During the night, IDF fighters identified a terrorist squad that planned to fire anti-tank missiles at our forces. The fighters directed an Air Force aircraft that attacked the squad and eliminated a number of terrorists. In addition, the fighters directed an aircraft to attack a terrorist squad that is responsible for firing rockets into the territory of the country and eliminated a number of terrorists.”
The Israel Defence Forces posted a raw footage of weapons recovered from Hamas fighter in the October 7 attack. “Here are some of the weapons found on Hamas' terrorists on October 7th. 1,493 hand grenades and explosives, 760 RPGs, 427 explosive belts, 375 firearms, 106 rockets and missiles. These are just a few of the weapons used to massacre over 1,400 Israeli civilians. Weapons used for the killing of innocents,” IDF posted on X.
