Israeli Security Official: Hamas Gaza Brigade Commander and Deputy Killed in Overnight Gaza Strike

A security official confirmed this morning (Thursday) that the IDF killed Hamas Gaza Brigade commander Izz al-Din Beik in the Gaza Strip, along with his deputy Imad Aslim, who also served as commander of the Zeitoun Battalion.

Last night, the IDF spokesperson announced that a targeted strike had been carried out against "two central terrorists" in northern Gaza, without identifying them. This morning, it became clear that the target of the strike was senior members of Hamas's military wing in Gaza City.

In the IDF spokesperson's statement, it was said: "A short while ago, the IDF struck two central terrorists in the Hamas terrorist organization in northern Gaza." According to the security official, Imad Aslim held two senior roles at the same time — both as deputy commander of the Gaza Brigade and as commander of the organization's Zeitoun Battalion.

This latest killing joins a series of targeted eliminations carried out by the IDF and the Shin Bet in recent days against senior Hamas figures in Gaza. Just one day earlier, Muhammad Oudeh was killed after being appointed Hamas's leader in Gaza and holding the role for only about two weeks. Oudeh had replaced Izz a-Din al-Haddad, who was also killed earlier as part of IDF operations.

In the Israeli defense establishment, Oudeh is seen as having played a significant role in planning the October 7 massacre. He was considered one of the architects of the attack, and for years served as head of Hamas intelligence until he was appointed to lead the organization's military wing in Gaza.

In the official joint statement by the IDF and the Shin Bet following Oudeh's killing, it was stated that: "Several buildings in the heart of Gaza City that had been used as a hideout for him were attacked, following intelligence surveillance lasting many months in an effort to trace his movements and the movements of his aides in the organization." The statement further said that: "At the same time, a nearby apartment belonging to a Hamas terrorist who infiltrated on October 7 and was part of Oudeh's circle of aides was also attacked."