The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Friday the elimination of Salame Muhammad Abu Ajaj, a senior commander within Hamas’s general security forces, during an airstrike in Rafah. Ajaj reportedly played a significant role in Hamas’s military activities, aiming to strengthen the organization in the Rafah area and disrupt IDF operations in the Gaza Strip. This airstrike also killed Eyad al-Maghari, the mayor of Nuseirat and reported Hamas member.
The Hamas General Security Forces, a crucial support body for Hamas’s military wing, are tasked with ensuring the organization’s survival, facilitating routine military activities, and counteracting IDF actions in Gaza. According to the IDF, Ajaj’s role was integral to these efforts, making his elimination a notable setback for Hamas
The airstrikes follow reports that Hamas has increasingly adopted guerrilla warfare tactics to combat the IDF’s superior military capabilities. The shift has seen the group engage in ambushes, deploy improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and utilize their extensive tunnel network to evade and harry Israeli forces. Despite significant losses—US and Israeli officials estimate that about half of Hamas’s forces have been eliminated—Hamas remains a formidable adversary, with its fighting force now estimated between 9,000 and 12,000 fighters, down from pre-conflict numbers of 20,000 to 25,000.
On Thursday morning, an Israeli soldier, Warrant Officer Zeed Mazarib, was killed during an attempted Hamas infiltration from the southern Gaza Strip. The incident, which began around 4 a.m., saw Hamas terrorists emerging from a tunnel and engaging IDF troops. The soldiers, part of the Desert Reconnaissance Battalion, responded to the infiltration, leading to a firefight in which Mazarib was killed .
The IDF reported that the infiltrating cell was armed with assault rifles and RPGs. Although no suspects managed to cross the Israeli border, the incident raised concerns about the efficiency of communication between the IDF and local security teams, prompting the Eshkol Regional Council to demand an investigation into the handling of the incident.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby noted that while Hamas has been significantly degraded, it remains capable of sustained resistance. The group’s resilience presents a strategic challenge for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has vowed to continue the war until Hamas is fully dismantled .
Despite Israeli efforts to clear Hamas’s extensive tunnel network—dubbed the “Gaza metro”—the subterranean passages remain a significant challenge. These tunnels, which span approximately 500 kilometers, provide shelter for Hamas leaders, command centers, and weapon stores.
Expanded Coverage:
