Jerusalem. The Israeli Army and Shin Bet Internal Security Agency have claimed to have killed Muhammad Abu Sakhil, the head of operations of the Islamic Jihad terrorist group. On Saturday, the Israeli Air Force targeted the commander in a “precision strike” in the Gaza Strip, according to a joint statement. The statement said Abu Sakhil was working in a command and control center located in a compound previously known as the Fahd al-Sabah School in northern Gaza. The Israeli Defense Forces described Abu Sakhil as ‘a key figure’ in Islamic Jihad, who was responsible for planning and carrying out attacks, including joint operations with Hamas against Israeli civilians and soldiers in Gaza.
The Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine, (also known as Islamic Jihad), is a militant group primarily active in the Gaza Strip. Founded in 1981, it is the second largest armed group in Gaza after Hamas. On October 7, in response to a major attack by Hamas in Israel, the Jewish State launched a military operation in the Gaza Strip occupied by the Palestinian group. About 1200 people were killed in the Hamas attack while more than 250 people were taken hostage. Israeli attacks have caused widespread destruction in Gaza and killed thousands of Palestinians.
Along with this, the Israeli army is carrying out air strikes on Lebanon since September 23. It has also launched a ‘limited’ ground campaign across the border, reportedly aimed at weakening Hezbollah. Many commanders, including Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, were killed in Israeli strikes and many of its bases were heavily damaged. However, the Lebanese group is also retaliating by firing missiles at Israel. On October 8, 2023, Hezbollah started firing rockets at Israel in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza. The latest developments are an extension of this conflict.