October 3, 2024 | Flash Brief
Head of Hamas Government Killed in July
October 3, 2024 | Flash Brief
Head of Hamas Government Killed in July
Latest Developments
The de facto head of the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip was killed in an Israeli airstrike in July, the Israeli military announced on October 3.
Rawhi Mushtaha, right-hand man to Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, died when warplanes bombed a fortified underground position in the northern part of the Palestinian enclave three months ago, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Reportedly also killed were Sameh al-Siraj, who held the security portfolio in Hamas’s politburo, and Sami Oudeh, chief of Hamas’s General Security Mechanism.
Mushtaha ran civil affairs in the Gaza Strip while doubling as a decision-maker on the deployment of terrorist forces. He founded the General Security Mechanism, enabling tighter surveillance and subjugation of regular Palestinians, and formerly held Hamas’s finance portfolio. He and Sinwar had served time together in an Israeli prison, which contributed to their close relationship, the IDF said.
Expert Analysis
“That Hamas never published these deaths may attest to the successful disruption of the terrorist group’s command and control as Israel’s offensive progresses, but it’s probably more a sign of intense embarrassment at losing more Hamas kingpins. At a time when Hamas claims to be reconstituting its rule in northern Gaza, it’s clear that this is merely palliative and the group is increasingly dismantled.” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO
“Hamas overtook all aspects of life in Gaza. Civil servants, teachers, journalists and humanitarian aid workers doubled as terrorists.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network
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