After Ceasefire Collapse, Israel Eliminates Key Hamas Leadership

Israel has wasted no time reasserting military dominance following the collapse of the ceasefire with Hamas, eliminating over a dozen top leaders of the Iranian-backed terrorist group in just one week. The campaign, driven by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), demonstrates a shift in focus: not just dismantling Hamas militarily, but also removing its political infrastructure and grip over Gaza.

Many observers believe Israel used the two-month ceasefire to map Hamas' top command structure. Once the ceasefire collapsed, the strikes came swiftly and with deadly precision.

Among the highest-profile targets eliminated:

• Essam al-Da’alis, Hamas’ acting prime minister in Gaza and mastermind of internal political coordination.

• Mahmoud Marzouk Ahmed Abu-Watfa, Minister of Internal Affairs.

• Bahajat Hassan Mohammed Abu Sultan, Head of Internal Security Forces.

• Ahmed Amar Abdullah Alhata, Minister of Justice.

• Yasser Muhammad Harb Musa, a longtime terrorist planner and former associate of Yahya Sinwar.

• Muhammad Al-Jamsi, head of Hamas’ Emergency Committee.

• Rashid Jahjuh, head of General Security Forces responsible for internal crackdowns and protecting Hamas’ assets.

• Osama Tabash, Hamas’ military intelligence chief in southern Gaza and a planner of the October 7 massacre.

• Salah Bardawil, head of planning and development in the southern strip.

• Ahmad Salman ‘Awj Shimali and Jamil Wadiya, senior battlefield commanders.

• Ismail Barhoum, Hamas’ new acting prime minister and head of finances, eliminated in a precision strike at the Nasser Hospital compound.

The IDF also destroyed over 100 pickup trucks used in the October 7 terror assault, and expanded ground operations into central and southern Gaza to establish a buffer zone.

Key developments:

• Defense Minister Israel Katz has warned of potential annexation of parts of Gaza if Hamas refuses to release the remaining 59 hostages.

• Hamas' political and military infrastructure has been severely degraded, with many of its most important leaders killed in less than a week.

• Israel continues to focus on striking dual-use infrastructure, such as hospitals and public offices, when used as Hamas command centers.

Katz stated unequivocally “The more Hamas persists in its refusal to release the hostages, the more territory it will lose, which will be annexed to Israel.”

Despite Hamas launching a few rockets in retaliation, all fell harmlessly or were intercepted, highlighting Israel’s superior defense capabilities.

This latest offensive sends a clear message: Israel will no longer tolerate the coexistence of civilian infrastructure and terrorist governance. Hamas, already a designated terrorist organization by the U.S. and European Union, is now watching its leadership ranks shrink under the weight of Israeli intelligence and military power.

Share this article and subscribe to our newsletter for continued coverage of Israel’s mission to dismantle Hamas and restore regional stability.