The Israeli military has confirmed the death of Marwan Issa, the deputy commander of Hamas’s military wing in Gaza, in an Israeli airstrike earlier this month. Issa, a presumed mastermind of the Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel, was one of the highest-ranking officials in Hamas.
Senior U.S. official Jake Sullivan had previously informed reporters of Issa’s death, but it was only confirmed by Israel’s military in a statement on Tuesday. The airstrike targeted Issa and another senior Hamas official in an underground compound in central Gaza.
With Issa’s death, he became the most senior Hamas leader to be killed in Gaza since the start of the war. Israeli officials see this as a significant breakthrough in their campaign to eliminate the Hamas leadership in Gaza.
However, experts caution that while Issa’s death is a blow to Hamas, it may not have a devastating effect on the group’s leadership structure. Past experiences have shown that Hamas leaders killed by Israel are quickly replaced.
Mr. Issa, who served as a deputy to Hamas’s military leader Mohammed Deif, played a crucial role as a liaison between the group’s military and political leaders. His death is seen as a loss for Hamas, but experts believe the group will overcome it in time.
Described as a quiet and decisive figure, Issa maintained a low profile and rarely appeared in public. He was involved in efforts to negotiate a prisoner swap between Israel and Hamas and was known for his role in planning militant operations.
Born in central Gaza in 1965, Issa spent time in prisons operated by both Israel and the Palestinian Authority. He was a key figure in Hamas’s military wing and had a significant impact on the group’s activities.
While Issa’s death is a setback for Hamas, experts believe the group will continue its operations and quickly fill the void left by his absence. The conflict between Israel and Hamas is ongoing, and the death of a key Hamas leader is unlikely to bring a swift end to the violence.
