JERUSALEM, July 17 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) claimed Friday that they killed a Hamas company commander in an airstrike in southern Gaza, accusing him of involvement in holding Israeli hostages and assisting senior Hamas leaders.
In a joint statement, the IDF and the ISA said Anas Mahmoud Ahmed Hamdan was killed in a strike carried out on Thursday in the Khan Younis area.
According to the statement, Hamdan helped protect senior Hamas leaders whom Israel holds responsible for the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel. He was also accused of playing "a central role" in holding Israeli hostages in Gaza during the conflict and participating in processes related to their transfer and release as part of hostage exchange agreements.
The statement said Hamdan also oversaw propaganda activities for Hamas' Khan Younis Brigade, served for years as a close aide to senior commanders in Hamas' military wing, and helped train militants and support attacks against Israeli troops.
Hamas has not responded to the Israeli claim. ■
