By DAYO ADESULU
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Sunday that it eliminated two Hamas operatives belonging to the group’s engineering unit in a strike in the Gaza City area, accusing them of helping rebuild Hamas’ military capabilities despite the ceasefire.
The two men were identified by the IDF as Hassan Ali Abu Nada and Abd al-Rahim Ahmad Khalil Khawa. According to the Israeli military, both were involved in weapons production and development as well as preparations for attacks against Israeli troops and civilians.
IDF Says Strike Targeted Hamas Engineering Unit
The IDF said the strike was carried out earlier Sunday in the Gaza City area as part of what it described as efforts to prevent Hamas from restoring its operational capabilities.
The military alleged that Abu Nada and Khawa had recently participated in the production and development of weapons and in preparations for what it described as advanced attacks against Israeli forces and Israeli civilians.
The IDF further accused the pair of attempting to reconstitute Hamas’ military capabilities, which it said amounted to a systematic violation of the ceasefire.
The Israeli military said the strike was therefore conducted to remove what it described as an immediate threat.
Israeli military correspondent Emanuel Fabian of The Times of Israel also reported that the IDF identified the two men as members of Hamas’ engineering unit.
Strike Reportedly Hit Vehicle in Tel al-Hawa
Other reports placed the strike in or around the Tel al-Hawa neighbourhood in southwestern Gaza City.
Palestinian reports said an Israeli strike hit a vehicle in the area, killing two people and injuring others. One report said 13 people were wounded, although casualty figures and the identities of those injured were not independently established in the available reports.
The discrepancy is important because the Israeli military’s statement focused on the two individuals it said were targeted, while Palestinian reports highlighted the wider impact of the strike.
According to the IDF, precautions were taken before the attack to reduce the possibility of civilian casualties.
These measures, it said, included the use of precision-guided munitions and aerial surveillance.
IDF: Troops Remain Deployed Under Ceasefire Arrangement
The Israeli military said troops operating under the Southern Command remain deployed in the area in accordance with the existing agreement.
It added that its forces would continue operating against what it considers immediate threats.
The latest strike comes amid continuing tensions surrounding the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire. While the agreement has reduced the intensity of fighting compared with earlier phases of the conflict, both sides continue to accuse each other of violations.
The IDF’s latest statement specifically framed Sunday’s operation as a response to alleged Hamas efforts to rebuild military capabilities.
However, the claims about the activities of the two men were made by the Israeli military and have not been independently verified.
Why This Matters
The strike is significant because it illustrates the continuing security challenge surrounding the Gaza ceasefire.
For Israel, preventing Hamas from rebuilding its weapons and military infrastructure remains a central security objective. For Palestinians and humanitarian observers, however, continued military operations in densely populated areas raise concerns about civilian casualties and the durability of the ceasefire.
The incident also highlights the difficulty of maintaining a ceasefire when one side regards certain military activity as an immediate threat requiring intervention.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs continues to publish regular updates on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, reflecting the broader consequences of the ongoing conflict.
What Happened in Gaza City?
According to the IDF, two Hamas engineering-unit operatives, Hassan Ali Abu Nada and Abd al-Rahim Ahmad Khalil Khawa, were killed in an Israeli strike Sunday.
Palestinian reports separately said an Israeli strike hit a vehicle in the Tel al-Hawa area, killing two people and injuring others.
The IDF said it used precision weapons and aerial surveillance before the strike in an effort to reduce civilian harm.
What Did the IDF Accuse the Two Men Of?
The military said the two men were involved in weapons production and development, preparations for attacks and attempts to restore Hamas’ military capabilities.
Those allegations are attributed to the IDF and have not been independently verified.
Conclusion
The reported killing of two Hamas engineering-unit operatives in Gaza City adds another complication to efforts to maintain the Gaza ceasefire.
The IDF maintains that the operation was necessary to eliminate an immediate threat and prevent Hamas from rebuilding its military capabilities. Palestinian reports, meanwhile, indicate that the strike also caused injuries among people in the surrounding area.
As the ceasefire continues to face allegations of violations, the incident underscores how fragile the security situation remains across Gaza.
👉 Was this a legitimate security operation or another sign that the Gaza ceasefire remains dangerously fragile?
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