The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced on Monday that they had killed Hamas minister Abed Al-Zeriei in an airstrike in the Gaza Strip the previous day.
Al-Zeriei was a member of the Military Wing’s manufacturing department and also served as the economy minister for Hamas in the Gaza Strip, according to the Israeli minister. He played a significant role in directing Hamas’ efforts to take control of humanitarian aid entering Gaza and in managing the markets controlled by Hamas, stated IDF on X.
Furthermore, the IDF mentioned that Al-Zeriei was responsible for funding terrorist activities.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday advocated for increased military action against Hamas terrorists in Gaza, stating that only by intensifying military pressure on Hamas could all war objectives be achieved, including the return of all hostages.
Netanyahu also said, “Iran and its minions are attempting to encircle us with a stranglehold of terrorism. We are resolved to confront them on every front and in every arena, both near and far. Anyone who tries to harm us will face a very heavy price.”
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was in Tehran for the presidential inauguration, was killed on July 31 in an attack. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) claimed that Israel assassinated the Hamas leader using a short-range projectile equipped with a warhead.
The IRGC issued a statement vowing to “avenge the blood of Haniyeh,” adding that “the terrorist and adventurist Zionist regime will undoubtedly receive severe punishment and a decisive response at the appropriate time and place.”
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader also warned of “harsh punishment” for the killing of Haniyeh.
