Senior Hamas militant Abu Obeida reportedly killed in Israeli attack
Photo: Sources in the Israeli Security Service view the strike optimistically (Getty Images)
Israel may have eliminated a senior Hamas terrorist on the evening of August 30, The Times of Israel reports.
Media reports say the strike targeted a long-time member of Hamas's armed wing, known by the alias Abu Obeida.
The Times of Israel notes that Abu Obeida, whose real name is Hudayfa Samir Abdallah al-Kahlout, always appears in public wearing a mask. He is considered a "symbol in the Strip."
"There is optimism, we have cautiously assessed that the direction is positive," one security source said, commenting on the Gaza strike against the militant.
Another source told Kan TV that the outcome of the strike is "looking good."
Not to capture, but to destroy Hamas
Earlier in August, it became known that Israel had approved a plan to seize control of the Gaza Strip, including Gaza City. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the country's goal is not to occupy Gaza. Instead, he said, the aim is to liberate it from Hamas.
"Our goal is not to occupy Gaza. Our goal is to free Gaza, free it from Hamas terrorists. The war can end tomorrow if Hamas lays down its arms and releases all the remaining hostages,” Netanyahu said.
For more on why Israel intends to take control of the Gaza Strip fully, read RBC-Ukraine's report.
