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The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a significant turn with the Israeli military's announcement of the elimination of Rawhi Mushtaha, the head of the Hamas government in Gaza. The announcement, made three months after the airstrike that killed Mushtaha, sheds light on the clandestine nature of the operation and the strategic importance of the target.
Mushtaha, described as one of Hamas's most senior operatives, held a pivotal position within the organization. He was a member of Hamas's Gaza politburo and was in charge of its financial affairs. His involvement extended beyond financial management, as he was previously a member of Hamas's main Politburo and reportedly helped co-found the group's armed wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades (IQB). His history with Hamas dates back to 1988 when he was arrested by Israel and was later released in 2011 in a prisoner exchange. In 2015, the US Department of State designated him a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
The Israeli military's announcement that Hamas did not announce Mushtaha's death underscores the importance of his position and the impact his loss could have on the organization. The IDF claims Hamas chose to keep his death a secret to avoid a loss of morale and functionality among its operatives. The silence from Hamas regarding Mushtaha's death fuels speculation about his potential successor and the implications for the ongoing conflict.
Source: Israel says Hamas govt de-facto head ‘eliminated’ in Gaza: How IDF killed Rawhi Mushtaha