NEWS
IDF, Shin Bet Capture Senior Hamas Security Chief in Gaza Operation
The Israeli military and the Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic security agency, have confirmed the capture of a senior Hamas security official during an operation in the Gaza Strip.
The development was announced on Tuesday night as Israeli forces carried out a series of strikes against targets in Gaza, which the Israeli military said were conducted in response to threats directed at its troops.
The capture has drawn significant attention because of the position reportedly held by the detained Hamas official and his alleged role in the group’s security and governance structures.
Earlier on Tuesday, an Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post that the man captured was Mu’in al-Arabid, identified as Hamas’s Head of the General Security Apparatus.
However, a Palestinian source in Gaza gave a different account, telling the publication that the detained individual was responsible for Hamas’s internal security department in the Gaza City area.
According to the source, members of an anti-Hamas group also played a role in the operation. The source claimed that Hamas was attempting to “downplay the incident and that its internal security forces are actively pursuing militias supported by Israel.”
The reported capture comes amid continued Israeli military operations across Gaza and growing Israeli efforts to target Hamas’s leadership, military infrastructure and security networks.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the operation reflected Israel’s policy of acting against perceived threats before they could materialise.
“A short time ago, a senior Hamas terrorist was arrested, and this is our policy: We do not wait for threats.
“Instead, we pursue Hamas terrorists, thwart them, and destroy their terrorist infrastructure.
“We have built a strong and unprecedented security zone in Gaza to protect residents and IDF soldiers“ Katz said on Tuesday afternoon.
Katz also gave a stark assessment of the destruction and Israeli military control in the territory, insisting that Israeli forces would maintain their presence until key security objectives were achieved.
“Nearly 70% of the Gaza Strip has been destroyed, with no residents, no tunnels, and no homes, and the IDF controls the territory.
“We are not leaving Gaza until the Strip is demilitarized, Hamas is disarmed, and all terrorist tunnels are destroyed. Even after that, the IDF will remain in Gaza along defensive lines and ensure the security of the western Negev communities.
“Any attempt to bypass the security zone through aerial launches will be met with a harsh response.“
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also welcomed the operation, praising the IDF and Shin Bet for what he described as a significant intelligence and security achievement.
In a statement released Tuesday evening, Netanyahu congratulated the two agencies for their “bold action in arresting the head of Hamas’s General Security Apparatus from his home.”
The Israeli prime minister described the captured official as “one of the most senior Hamas leaders,” alleging that he had played a central role in several of the group’s activities during the conflict.
According to Netanyahu, the official was “responsible for hiding and transporting our hostages, hiding Hamas senior figures, and building the terror force, including attempting to restore the terror group’s capabilities.”
Netanyahu further alleged that the Hamas official had recently become involved in efforts to rebuild the organisation’s governing structures in Gaza while attempting to frustrate Israeli demands concerning the territory’s demilitarisation.
“Recently, he had been involved in attempts to restore Hamas’s governance in Gaza, in deception on the issue of demilitarizing the strip, and assisting in carrying out terrorist acts against the IDF and Israeli civilians,“ the prime minister added.
The reported arrest comes as Israel continues to pursue Hamas figures accused of involvement in attacks against Israel and activities during the ongoing conflict.
Netanyahu reiterated that the Israeli government intends to continue targeting senior Hamas figures and others it holds responsible for the October 7 attack.
“My directive is clear: The State of Israel will continue to pursue all Hamas leaders and everyone who took part in
the October 7 massacre,“ Netanyahu stated.