During the operation, the Israeli Air Force carried out precision strikes against several military targets in the area to eliminate threats to the forces on the ground.
By United with Israel Staff
Israeli security forces captured one of Hamas’s most senior security officials in a daring operation inside Gaza City on Wednesday, ending hours of speculation surrounding intense gunfire and Israeli airstrikes reported in the area.
The IDF and Shin Bet identified the captured terrorist as Muin al-Arabid, the head of Hamas’s Internal Security apparatus throughout the Gaza Strip.
The operation was led by the Shin Bet and IDF Southern Command and began as a targeted mission in northern Gaza aimed at removing Hamas threats, according to a joint statement.
Shin Bet special forces raided a building in Gaza City and arrested al-Arabid. During the operation, the Israeli Air Force carried out precision strikes against several military targets in the area to eliminate threats to the forces on the ground.
No Israeli forces were wounded.
Earlier Palestinian reports had described a fierce gun battle in western Gaza City and claimed that an Israeli-backed Palestinian militia had entered the area in an attempt to capture a senior Hamas security official before coming under heavy fire.
The IDF initially confirmed only that it had carried out airstrikes “in order to remove threats to security forces,” leaving the identity of the forces on the ground unclear.
Wednesday’s joint IDF-Shin Bet statement confirmed that Shin Bet special forces had carried out the raid and successfully captured the Hamas official.
According to the security forces, al-Arabid had recently been working to reestablish Hamas’s control over northern Gaza and advance terror attacks against IDF troops operating near the Yellow Line.
He was transferred to Israel for further interrogation.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the Shin Bet and IDF for the “daring operation,” describing al-Arabid as one of Hamas’s most senior figures.
Netanyahu said al-Arabid had been responsible for concealing and moving Israeli hostages, hiding senior Hamas leaders and helping build up the terrorist organization’s forces and restore its capabilities.
More recently, Netanyahu said, al-Arabid had been working to restore Hamas rule in Gaza, deceive Israel over the demilitarization of the Strip and assist attacks against Israeli troops and civilians.
“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 said.
Defense Minister Israel Katz had earlier announced the capture, saying it reflected Israel’s policy of acting proactively against Hamas.
“We don’t wait for threats. We pursue Hamas terrorists, thwart them and destroy their terror infrastructure,” Katz said.
The IDF and Shin Bet said the operation was intended to eliminate threats, undermine Hamas’s control in the area and disrupt plans to carry out attacks against Israeli forces and civilians.