Tel Aviv: In a high-profile operation that underscores the fragile state of the ceasefire and ongoing tension in the region, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), in coordination with Israeli security agencies, has conducted targeted airstrikes in the Gaza Strip that killed two senior commanders from militant groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The strikes come amid repeated violations of the truce and are part of Israel’s intensified campaign against leaders it deems responsible for previous attacks and ongoing threats.
According to official statements, Muhammad Issam Hassan al-Habil, a Hamas commander linked to the abduction and murder of Corporal Noa Marciano during the October 7, 2023 conflict, was eliminated in a precision strike. The Israeli military described Habil as directly involved in the cruel treatment and killing of Marciano, a symbol of one of the most traumatic episodes of the war. His death has been framed by Israeli officials as a form of justice for the fallen soldier and a targeted response to serious militant actions.
In the same series of attacks, Ali Raziana, leader of the Northern Gaza Brigade for Palestinian Islamic Jihad and a key figure on that group’s military council, was also killed. The IDF described Raziana as one of the highest-ranking commanders it has neutralized since the ceasefire took effect, responsible for coordinating operations and sustaining militant capacities in northern Gaza. Raziana’s strategic role included collaborating closely with Hamas forces in planning and executing attacks against Israeli troops.
The strikes took place amid claims that militant groups repeatedly violated the existing ceasefire. Israeli forces assert that these violations included attacks on army positions and actions that threatened Israeli soldiers and civilians, prompting the military response. The operation involved intelligence coordination with the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) and was described by the IDF as aimed at pre-empting further assaults or destabilizing acts by militant networks.
News of the commanders’ deaths has resonated widely. In addition to the elimination of Raziana and Habil, broader Israeli air operations across Gaza have resulted in multiple casualties and destruction of militant infrastructure, according to regional reports. Palestinian health authorities have reported significant losses, including civilians, raising intense debate about the humanitarian impact of such actions while the ceasefire remains under strain.
The killing of senior militant figures illustrates how the conflict continues to simmer below the surface of diplomatic efforts aimed at maintaining peace. International responses have been varied: some governments affirm Israel’s right to self-defense, while others warn that these operations risk deepening the humanitarian crisis and further destabilizing a region still struggling under the weight of years-long hostilities.
The wider conflict, which reignited in October 2023 after a massive Hamas offensive into Israeli territory, has exacted a heavy toll. According to health authorities in Gaza, tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed, alongside thousands of Israelis, and the region’s security situation remains volatile with periodic flare-ups of violence.
Analysts note that while targeted strikes may degrade militant capabilities in the short term, sustaining long-term calm will require renewed diplomatic engagement, confidence-building measures between parties, and robust mechanisms to prevent ceasefire violations. As the IDF vows to continue operations against perceived threats, the immediate future appears poised for further tension unless substantive political solutions are pursued by both sides and supported by international stakeholders.