The Israeli military announced on Saturday, October 3, 2026, that it had killed two senior leaders of the Islamic Jihad movement in separate airstrikes on Gaza City on Friday. According to the Israeli army, one of the strikes targeted Ahmed Mahmoud Harb Ramlawi, a commander in the rocket unit of the Shuja'iya battalion of Islamic Jihad. The second airstrike killed Munir Ibrahim Al-Masri, a commander of an anti-tank missile unit of the group.

The Israeli military claimed that the two leaders were involved in planning attacks against Israel and rebuilding the military capabilities of Islamic Jihad. The airstrikes were carried out by the Israeli Air Force, which has been involved in several operations against Islamic Jihad targets in Gaza. The group has been a rival to Hamas, which has governed Gaza since 2007.

The airstrikes on Gaza City's Tel al-Hawa neighborhood caused significant damage and sparked fires. The Israeli military said that the two leaders were killed in a series of operations aimed at disrupting Islamic Jihad's military capabilities. The group has been responsible for several rocket attacks against Israel in recent months.

The killing of the two Islamic Jihad leaders has raised concerns about a potential escalation of violence in the region. Egypt, which has played a key role in mediating between Israel and Hamas, has called for restraint and calm. The incident has also sparked international concern, with the United Nations calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the airstrikes.

The Israeli military has been on high alert in recent weeks, following a series of rocket attacks from Gaza. The group has been seeking to rebuild its military capabilities, which have been weakened by previous Israeli military operations. The Israeli government has vowed to take action against any threats to its security.

The airstrikes on Gaza City are the latest in a series of military operations carried out by Israel against Islamic Jihad targets. The group has been designated as a terrorist organization by Israel and several other countries. The Israeli military has said that it will continue to take action against any threats to its security.

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from Palestinian groups and human rights organizations. The killing of the two leaders has also raised questions about the effectiveness of Israel's military strategy in Gaza. The Israeli government has said that it will continue to take action to protect its citizens from any threats.

Key points

  • The Israeli military killed two senior Islamic Jihad leaders in separate airstrikes on Gaza City on Friday.
  • The airstrikes were carried out in response to what Israel perceived as a threat from Islamic Jihad to its security.
  • The incident has raised concerns about a potential escalation of violence in the region and sparked international condemnation.

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SaharaWire Newsroom
SaharaWire

Reporting for SaharaWire from the Nairobi bureau.