IDF eliminates Hamas intelligence chief Osama Tabash in southern Gaza strike

Military reports death of one of the key architects of the October 7 massacre as renewed fighting intensifies in Gaza amid stalled hostage negotiations

Yoav Zitun|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit on Friday reported the military eliminated Osama Tabash, the head of Hamas' Military Intelligence in southern Gaza, in an intelligence-based strike on Thursday.
According to the announcement, Tabash also led Hamas' Surveillance and Targeting Unit, which is responsible for gathering visual intelligence and generating targets for Hamas in both Israeli territory and the Gaza Strip.
2 View gallery
Osama Tabash
Osama Tabash
Osama Tabash's profile
(Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
"Tabash was a senior Hamas terrorist and was a significant source of operational knowledge for the terrorist organization," the IDF said in a statement, adding that he had held various key positions, including battalion commander in Hamas' Khan Younis Brigade.
Over the years, he was involved in terrorist activities and attacks, including a 2005 suicide bombing at the Gush Katif junction that killed ISA coordinator Oded Sharon.
Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play: https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store: https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv
The IDF added Tabash played a central role in formulating Hamas' combat strategy on the ground, coordinating intelligence efforts in southern Gaza and leading military operations in the area. Over the past year, he was involved in rebuilding Hamas' military capabilities after sustaining losses during the war.
The military further said that Tabash was directly responsible for planning and coordinating targets and infiltration objectives during Hamas' October 7 massacre in Israeli communities near the border.
2 View gallery
תקיפות אוויריות ברפיח
תקיפות אוויריות ברפיח
Strikes in Gaza
"Throughout the war, he also led Hamas' Surveillance Unit, which gathered intelligence and monitored IDF operations, directed attacks at IDF troops, and played a key role in shaping Hamas' perception of the IDF and its activities," the announcement read.
The IDF stressed that his elimination significantly weakened Hamas' intelligence-gathering abilities and its efforts to target Israeli forces in Gaza.
The military report comes amid renewed fighting in Gaza following the collapse of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas following the terror group's refusal to release Israeli hostages.
<< Follow Ynetnews on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Telegram >>
Comments
The commenter agrees to the privacy policy of Ynet News and agrees not to submit comments that violate the terms of use, including incitement, libel and expressions that exceed the accepted norms of freedom of speech.
""