how Israel captured Hamas' internal secu
Key Points:
- Israeli forces conducted a carefully planned raid in Gaza City to capture Muin al-Arabid, described as Hamas’ internal security chief, involving disguised vehicles, a firefight, and heavy air support during withdrawal.
- The Shin Bet had tracked al-Arabid for an extended period, identifying vulnerabilities in his routine, leading to a multi-day preparation and intelligence gathering before the operation.
- During the raid, al-Arabid’s wife was killed and several of his family members and bodyguards were wounded, while al-Arabid himself was shot, wounded, and taken into Israeli custody without Israeli casualties.
- Israeli airstrikes provided cover for the withdrawal, targeting nearby military positions, and reportedly resulted in the deaths of two children; a vehicle used for surveillance was destroyed to prevent intelligence compromise.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz praised the operation as successful and highlighted its significance in countering Hamas threats in northern Gaza, with al-Arabid transferred to Israel for interrogation.