Netanyahu Claims Israel Captured Hamas Security Chief During Gaza Operation
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that his military successfully captured the head of Hamas’s internal security. The arrest took place during a raid conducted within the Gaza territory.
“Israel’s internal security agency, Shin Bet, and the military, in a daring operation today, captured the head of Hamas’s internal security apparatus near his home in Gaza. He is one of Hamas’s senior leaders,” stated Netanyahu’s office, as reported by AFP on Tuesday.
According to Fox News, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz identified the captured Hamas leader as Mu’in al-Aarabid, the head of Hamas’s General Security Apparatus.
“A senior Hamas member has just been captured, and this is our policy: we do not wait for threats to arrive. Instead, we hunt Hamas, thwart their actions, and destroy their infrastructure. We have built a strong and unprecedented security zone in Gaza to protect both citizens and IDF soldiers,” Katz said in a statement.
This operation comes several weeks after the administration of US President Donald Trump demanded that Hamas disarm and hand over control of Gaza in August. Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, visited Israel last month and suggested that the IDF might receive US support to complete this task.
“If they do not honour their commitments now, everyone will see that they do not sincerely desire peace, and subsequently, Israel will receive more support from the US and other parties to finish the task in the proper manner,” Kushner told Trey Yingst of Fox News regarding the terrorist group.
This warning from Trump’s son-in-law follows a rare face-to-face meeting with Hamas in Egypt last month. This marked only the second time Kushner has met with the group.
“They said the right things, but of course, it is very difficult to trust a terrorist organisation that has committed such horrific atrocities,” Kushner continued.
“However, our meeting was very warm and they conveyed the right messages, so we will give them the opportunity to prove it through concrete actions,” he added.