Senior Hamas Commander “Abu Omar al-Souri” Killed in Israeli Airstrike on Gaza
Hamas confirms death of top Al-Qassam Brigades leader Hakam al-Issa in Israeli strike; a key figure in military training and October 7 planning.
Watan-Sources within Hamas confirmed Saturday the death of senior Al-Qassam Brigades commander Hakam al-Issa, known by his nom de guerre Abu Omar al-Souri, in an Israeli airstrike targeting the Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City.
The Israeli military earlier announced that, in coordination with the Shin Bet (Israel’s internal security agency), it assassinated al-Issa in an aerial operation carried out Friday night. According to the army, al-Issa served as Head of Combat and Administrative Support in Hamas’ military wing, and was classified as one of the last remaining senior leaders of the group still in Gaza since the war began on October 7, 2023.
The Israeli statement noted that al-Issa was a member of Hamas’ General Military Council, had previously led the establishment of the group’s military training center, and oversaw both defensive planning and offensive operations. He was also described as one of the key architects of the October 7 attack, which Israeli authorities claim resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people in southern Israel.
Abu Omar al-Souri: Architect of Hamas Military Training Killed in Gaza Strike
While Hamas has yet to issue an official statement, sources close to the group confirmed his death alongside his wife and grandson. Al-Issa was reportedly born in Syria, with family roots in the town of Burqa, near Nablus in the northern West Bank.
According to these sources, al-Issa entered Gaza in 2005 after traveling through several countries. He participated in military training before joining the Al-Qassam Brigades and rising through the ranks to become one of its most prominent commanders.
Described by insiders as the “pioneer of military training in Gaza,” al-Issa is credited with helping establish military and intelligence institutions within Hamas and played a central role in training elite fighters. He also commanded operations on the ground during Hamas’ October offensive, named “Al-Aqsa Flood.”
Following the October 7 attack, Israeli forces launched a wide-scale military campaign against Hamas in Gaza under the name “Operation Iron Swords.” According to Gaza medical sources, the war has killed over 56,000 Palestinians and caused catastrophic destruction to infrastructure.
This ongoing war, now entering its ninth month, is seen as the longest and deadliest in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since 1948.
