Hamas’s finance chief Mohammed Abu Alwan was killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza on Wednesday, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz, adding to tensions surrounding the fragile ceasefire arrangement in the territory.
Israeli officials said the strike targeted Alwan in Khan Younis following intelligence gathered by the Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet. According to the Israeli account, Alwan was travelling in a vehicle when it was struck. Israeli authorities said he had headed Hamas’s finance department for years and had been involved in managing funds for the organisation.
Palestinian medical sources said the strike on the vehicle killed Alwan and another person, while two others were wounded. Israeli authorities reported that at least four Palestinians were killed in attacks in the Khan Younis area on Wednesday.
The latest strike comes despite a ceasefire that halted major fighting but has not ended violence in Gaza. Reuters has reported that Israeli strikes have continued since the ceasefire took effect, with Israel saying its operations target militants and attempts to rebuild Hamas’s military capabilities. Palestinian officials have reported more than 1,300 deaths since the ceasefire began.
Alwan’s death adds another senior Hamas figure to the list of commanders and officials killed during the conflict that began after the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
The Israeli government said it would continue targeting Hamas’s leadership and financial networks. Hamas had not immediately issued a public response to the reported killing.
The development comes as international efforts continue to maintain the ceasefire and address unresolved issues, including Hamas’s disarmament and the future withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
