Israel's defense minister vows to target Hamas chief al-Hayya amid Gaza strikes

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on X that the elimination of Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya is imminent, stating the militant will “meet Ismail Haniyeh and his friends in the depths of hell.” Katz linked the target to a recent meeting between Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and al-Hayya in Ankara, and condemned President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for allegedly providing a “red carpet” to Hamas operatives. In Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet reported the killing of Hamas Nukhba platoon commander Hisham Jamal Muhammad Abu Ghala in an airstrike over Khan Younis after he participated in the October 7 attacks.

Over a 24-hour period Israeli forces struck five Hamas sites, destroying weapons caches, a rocket launch point in Al-Furqan, and an observation command center in Darij Tuffah, while issuing civilian warnings and using precision munitions. IDF footage also showed armed Hamas fighters inside Kamal Adwan Hospital in Jabalia, using patients and staff as human shields. The operations reflect Israel’s intensified campaign to dismantle Hamas infrastructure and pressure regional supporters.