Hamas Military Wing Reports Loss of Four Leaders Since October 7
In a recent development, the military wing of the Palestinian group Hamas, Al-Qassam Brigades, has officially declared the deaths of four of its leaders since October 7. Among the deceased is Ahmed Al-Ghandour, a notable member of the Military Council and the commander of the Northern Brigade.
The announcement was made through a statement by the Al-Qassam Brigades, expressing mourning for the loss of Commander Ahmed Al-Ghandour, also known as Abu Anas, along with other leaders: Wael Rajab, Raafat Salman, and Ayman Siam. However, specific details regarding the dates of their deaths were not provided.
The statement reiterated the group’s unwavering commitment to what it referred to as the “freedom path.” This announcement follows previous reports from the Israeli army regarding the deaths of Hamas leaders in airstrikes on Gaza during the ongoing military campaign.
The region has witnessed a temporary pause in hostilities mediated by Qatar and Egypt, with a four-day agreement in place. During this period, Israel and Hamas engaged in a prisoner exchange, releasing 41 Israelis and foreigners in return for 78 Palestinians held in Israeli jails. The agreement outlines a phased release of hostages over the four-day duration.
The conflict, initiated by Israel in response to a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, has resulted in significant casualties and infrastructure damage. Conflicting figures on the number of Palestinian casualties have been reported, with health authorities in the enclave citing at least 14,854 Palestinians killed, including thousands of children and women. The official Israeli death toll stands at 1,200. The situation remains fluid as both parties navigate the complexities of the ongoing hostilities and diplomatic efforts for a lasting resolution.