Israel says it killed 4 top Hamas commanders in Gaza

JERUSALEM

The Israeli army said Thursday it killed four Hamas commanders, including the deputy leader of the group’s intelligence unit in the Gaza Strip.

A military statement said Shadi Baroud, deputy commander of Hamas’ intelligence unit, was eliminated by the army and the Shin Bet internal security service in a drone attack.

The army said Baroud was the mastermind of the Oct. 7 cross-border attack, along with Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar.

In another statement, the army said fighter jets targeted and killed Hamas commanders Rifaat Abbas, Ibrahim Jadba and Tarek Maarouf.

There was no confirmation yet from Hamas.

Israel has launched relentless airstrikes on the Gaza Strip following the Hamas attack on Israeli territory on Oct. 7.

More than 8,400 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 7,028 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.

Gaza's 2.3 million residents have been running out of food, water, medicine, and fuel, and aid convoys allowed into Gaza have carried only a fraction of what is needed.