Israel arrests Hamas security chief in Gaza raid

Israeli forces arrested the head of Hamas' internal security service during a special operation in Gaza City on Tuesday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed, as accompanying airstrikes killed at least four Palestinians, including two children.i24news+1

The raid, carried out near the American Hospital in the Al-Katiba area of western Gaza City, was detected mid-operation, according to Hamas official Ismail Al-Thawabta, director of the Hamas-run Gaza government media office. Israeli warplanes then fired at least 12 missiles in the area to cover the withdrawal, striking an area crowded with displaced families.reuters+1

The Raid and Its Fallout

An Israeli security official said the detained man is the head of Hamas' internal security service, though Katz did not publicly identify him. Some Israeli media reports indicated the raid may have been carried out by members of an Israeli-backed militia that operates from Israeli-controlled areas inside Gaza. Saudi channel Al-Hadath reported the fighting was triggered by "an attempt by a local militia cooperating with Israel to abduct a prominent figure".ynetnews+2

Mohammed Abu Salmiya, director of Al-Shifa Hospital, said three Palestinians — two children and a woman — were killed and eight others wounded in the airstrikes on the Al-Katiba area. A fourth victim, a girl identified as Israa Al-Hissi, was killed by Israeli fire east of Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza.english.ahram+1

"This is our policy: we do not wait for threats, but rather pursue Hamas terrorists, thwart them, and destroy their terror infrastructure," Katz said, speaking from the Netiv HaAsara community near the northern Gaza border.reuters

Separate Strike on Hamas Commander

In a separate development, the Israeli military announced a precision airstrike in Gaza City's Sabra neighborhood that killed Imad Muhammad Rushdi Siraj, described as the commander of Hamas' supply and maintenance unit. The strike also targeted another operative whose identity has not been confirmed.voiceofemirates

Ceasefire Under Strain

The operation comes despite a U.S.-backed ceasefire that took effect in October 2025, which halted large-scale fighting but has not ended Israeli military operations in the enclave. More than 1,300 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire came into force, according to Gaza health officials, while the Israeli military says four soldiers have been killed in militant attacks during the same period.reuters

Hamas accuses Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire and undermining a broader plan by U.S. President Donald Trump to end the war, which includes further Israeli troop withdrawals and the disarmament of Hamas. Hamas has not issued any official statement confirming or denying Israel's claims about the detained leader.voiceofemirates+1