Israel's defence minister, Israel Katz, has announced that a senior member of the Palestinian armed group Hamas has been captured in a raid. The news comes after reports of a heavy bombardment of Gaza City

The incident occurred in western Gaza City, where Palestinians reported seeing two vehicles hit Witnesses described chaotic scenes with the sound of gunfire and the aftermath of strikes. The Israeli military has confirmed striking several targets in Gaza "in order to remove threats" to its troops, but added that none of the targets were injured.

According palestinian security source, target

According to a Palestinian security source, the target of the Israeli operation was a senior official in the Hamas internal security service. However, the details of the raid remain unclear, with reports suggesting that Israeli special forces and pro-Israeli Palestinian militiamen had entered the area, only for their presence to be discovered.

Some Israeli media outlets have suggested that only a local armed militia operated on the ground.

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"A short time ago, a senior Hamas terrorist was arrested – and this is our policy: we do not wait for threats, but pursue Hamas terrorists, thwart them and destroy their terror infrastructures," Minister Katz said after meeting with Israelis living in Netiv HaAsara, next to northern Gaza. The capture of the Hamas commander has been seen as a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The Gaza war, which began in May 2021, has resulted in the deaths of over 73,460 people, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. The conflict has also led to widespread destruction and displacement, with many Palestinians forced to flee their homes due to the ongoing violence.

The international community has condemned the Israeli strikes, with the UK, Canada, and Australia criticizing Israel for refusing to conduct a criminal probe into the killing of aid workers in Gaza.

The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between Israel and Hamas, with both sides accusing each other of launching attacks. The Israeli military has said that its actions are aimed at removing threats to its troops, while Hamas has claimed that it is fighting against Israeli aggression.

As the conflict continues, many are calling for a peaceful resolution to the crisis, but so far, no clear solution has emerged.

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Minister Katz's comments on the capture of the Hamas commander have been seen as a sign of Israel's determination to pursue its enemies and destroy their infrastructure. The Israeli military has said that it will continue to take action against Hamas targets, despite international criticism.

The incident is just the latest in a series of violent clashes between Israel and Hamas, which have resulted in significant loss of life on both sides. As the conflict continues, many are calling for an end to the violence and a return to peace talks.

The Israeli defence minister's comments on the capture of the Hamas commander have been seen as a sign of Israel's commitment to pursuing its enemies and destroying their infrastructure. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between Israel and Hamas, with both sides accusing each other of launching attacks.