June 29, 2025 | Gaza CityThe Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced the killing of Hakham Muhammad Issa Al-Issa, a co-founder of Hamas and head of its combat support headquarters, in a targeted airstrike in Gaza City on Friday. According to the IDF, Al-Issa was struck in the Sabra area and described as a key planner of the October 7, 2023 attack, which left over 1,200 Israelis dead and 250 hostages taken.The IDF statement said Al-Issa was among the last remaining senior Hamas leaders in Gaza, having played a major role in the group’s military organization and attack planning. He also served on Hamas’ General Security Council and previously led efforts to expand and train Hamas forces in Gaza.The Israeli military pledged to continue pursuing all militants involved in the October 7 attack. The conflict has since left over 56,000 people dead in Gaza, with thousands more injured or displaced, and shortages of food, water, and medicine worsening the humanitarian crisis.Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested a possible ceasefire could be reached within a week, but details on whether it would be temporary or involve prisoner exchanges remain unclear.The IDF also noted that Al-Issa worked to rebuild Hamas’ organizational capabilities damaged during the war and orchestrated attacks against Israeli civilians and troops. Israel has killed several other top Hamas officials since the October 2023 assault, including Mohammed Sinwar, Hamas’ Gaza chief, in May.Reporters:Lawahez Jabari – NBC News producer based in Tel Aviv, covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for over a decade.Rebecca Cohen – Breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.
