Reuters. The Israel Defense Force (IDF) said their air strike had killed a senior leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, as they released accompanying video footage of the attack on Monday (October 16).
The IDF, in a statement, said the targeted air strike killed Osama Mazini, the head of the Shura Council of Hamas. He was a key hostage negotiator for the militant group.
Hamas has about 200-250 Israeli captives in Gaza, the group's armed-wing spokesman said.
Israel is expected to escalate an offensive against Hamas that has set off a humanitarian crisis in Gaza and raised fears of a broader conflict with Iran.