Overview
- The Israel Defense Forces and Israel Security Agency announced they eliminated Walid Haniyeh, whom they described as a deputy commander in Hamas’s elite Nukhba force.
- Israeli statements say Haniyeh helped recruit and train fighters, led a cell that took part in the October 7 infiltration and directed abductions of Israeli civilians into Gaza.
- The military also identified Haniyeh as the nephew of Ismail Haniyeh, the former head of Hamas’s political bureau.
- The IDF said its Southern Command remains on high alert and that forces will continue targeted operations to remove immediate threats along the border.
- Reporting relies mainly on Israeli security claims and independent on‑the‑ground verification is limited, and analysts warn continued strikes could affect regional tensions and stalled diplomatic efforts to disarm Hamas.