JERUSALEM, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Wednesday that it had killed a Hamas commander in an airstrike in Gaza City.
The commander, identified as Momen Ahmad Salameh Ay, allegedly held Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity in Gaza City and served as an aide to commanders of Hamas's Gaza Brigade.
According to the Israeli military, he had recently advanced attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians and attempted to restore Hamas's capabilities.
The IDF said it had taken steps to minimize civilian casualties ahead of the airstrike, which was carried out Tuesday.
In a separate statement, the IDF said infantry soldiers operating in the village of Kfar Shouba in southern Lebanon had located a ready-to-detonate explosive device, a Hezbollah position, and additional weapons used by the group. ■
