After a temporary ceasefire agreement with Hamas collapsed, Israel swiftly launched airstrikes, killing several high-ranking Hamas political figures within just a week. The Israeli military stated that these "decapitation operations" were based on intensive intelligence gathering during the ceasefire, aiming to strike at Hamas's command chain and political leadership core.
On Sunday evening, Israel announced the killing of the new Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, Ismail Barhoum, referred to as the "de facto prime minister." The airstrike occurred at the Nasser Medical Center in Khan Younis. Hamas claimed he was receiving treatment there, but the Israeli military denied this, stating he had long concealed himself in the hospital and held meetings with senior officials. The attack reportedly caused a fire, injuring several patients and healthcare workers, including the death of a 16-year-old boy.
Just five days earlier, Barhoum's predecessor, Issam Dalies, was also killed in an Israeli airstrike. Since Israel resumed military operations in Gaza on March 18, at least four members of Hamas's political bureau have been targeted, including the deputy ministers of justice and interior, the head of internal security, and several officers.
Israeli Defense Minister Katz described Barhoum as a key leader of Hamas in Gaza, previously responsible for the organization's financial affairs. This series of targeted strikes reflects Israel's deep intelligence operations and efficiency in the area.
Former Israeli security officials noted that intelligence agencies had used the opportunity to track and collect information during the ceasefire when Hamas leaders were less vigilant, frequently appearing publicly and engaging in hostage exchanges. Through electronic surveillance and interrogation of captured militants, Israel rebuilt a target list of Hamas's top leadership.
The Israeli military also attacked vehicles used by Hamas for hostage releases, with these iconic white trucks seen as symbols of Hamas's authority.
While the Israeli military claims that targeted killings have weakened Hamas's combat capabilities, this strategy has sparked controversy. Critics argue that Hamas's leadership usually quickly finds replacements, potentially even more hardline or capable individuals rising to power. However, some believe that if such assassinations are frequent enough, they can disrupt the organization's command structure, making it difficult to operate effectively.
Sanam Vakil, an analyst at the Chatham House think tank in the UK, stated that the recent successful strikes by the Israeli military highlight Hamas's vulnerability in protecting its leadership and the safety of its civilians. It also reflects Israel's firm stance on regaining control over the Gaza situation. So far, the Gaza war has lasted 17 months, with Palestinian reports indicating over 50,000 deaths, though the ratio of combatants to civilians is still unclear.
