Israel says it killed Hamas commander for northern Gaza just before cease-fire went into effect

The Israeli military says it killed the senior Hamas commander responsible for the terrorist organization's operations in northern Gaza just before the Israel-Hamas cease-fire went into effect on Friday.

Israeli Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari says Israeli airstrikes killed Ahmed Ghandour and four other senior Hamas commanders.

"He was responsible for coordinating and managing all the terrorist activities of the terrorist organization Hamas in the northern area of ​​the Gaza Strip, initiating, promoting and approving terrorist activities and features including shooting attacks, explosives, rocket fire against the residents of the State of Israel as well as directing attacks throughout Judea and Samaria," Hagari wrote of Ahandor, adding that he was "one of the leaders in the planning and execution of the murderous raid and massacre carried out by the terrorist organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Saturday 10/7."

The IDF also identified Aiman Siam, who they say served as head of weapons inventory for Hamas for roughly 15 years. The three other senior commanders include Wael Rajeb, Deputy Commander of Hamas’ Northern Gaza Brigade; Farsan Halifa, a senior operative in Hamas' Judea and Samaria Headquarters, and Rafet Salman, commander of the Combat Assistance Unit.