Israeli special forces killed Ahmad Kamel Sarhan, a leader in the Nasser Salah al-Din Brigades, the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), during a covert operation in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip early Monday.
According to sources in Gaza, the unit entered the area in trucks loaded with mattresses and food, disguised as displaced civilians. Some soldiers were reportedly dressed in female clothing and carried bags filled with blankets to conceal weapons.
The soldiers went to Sarhan’s home and once inside, a firefight broke out. Sarhan and one of his children died in the fighting while his wife and remaining children were taken into Israeli custody.
Israeli sources said the operation aimed to capture Sarhan in order to question him about Israeli hostages in Gaza. However, when resistance erupted, the mission escalated into a lethal operation.
The PRC, regarded as the third-largest terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip, following Hamas and Islamic Jihad, confirmed the death of Sarhan. The group said he was responsible for its “special operations” and claimed that Israeli commandos killed him after failing in an attempt to arrest him.
Israel is increasing military pressure on Hamas in the besieged Gaza Strip in an effort to secure the release of the remaining hostages and compel the group to disarm. Israeli military sources estimate that around 58 hostages remain in Gaza.
