Death of Senior Hamas Leader Murad Abu Murad

The Israeli army announced today, Saturday, the killing of a senior military leader in Hamas in an Israeli airstrike during the last 24 hours. A spokesperson for the army stated in a press release that "the head of aerial operations, Murad Abu Murad, was killed in an airstrike on a command center for Hamas from which the group conducted its aerial activities," referring to Hamas's use of drone aircraft in its attacks on Israel. No confirmation has been received from Hamas at this time. Israel has carried out airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and declared a blockade following the deadliest attack on civilians in Israel's history, executed by Hamas last Saturday. The attack carried out by Hamas, which targeted civilians as well as military sites, resulted in the deaths of hundreds and the kidnapping of dozens, mostly civilians including children and women. The Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation reported that the number of Israeli fatalities from the Hamas attack has risen to over 1,300. The Israeli response, which targeted wide areas of Gaza, also resulted in the deaths of hundreds, the majority being civilians, including children and women. The Gaza Health Ministry announced on Friday that the death toll from the Israeli bombardment on the Strip has risen to 1,900.