Israel strikes Hamas weapons site in Gaza, eliminates commander

TEL AVIV, August 23. /TASS/. Israel has struck a Hamas weapons manufacturing site in the Gaza Strip and eliminated its commander, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.

"Earlier today (Sunday), the IDF and the ISA (Israeli Security Agency - TASS) struck in the Maghazi area in the Gaza Strip and eliminated the terrorist Ismail Abu Ful, a commander at a weapons manufacturing site within Hamas’ production headquarters," it said. "The terrorist took an active part in manufacturing explosive devices and anti-tank rockets for Hamas’ military wing and was eliminated to remove the threat."

According to IDF, the attacked Hamas weapons manufacturing site was located "near an aid distribution point operated by an international organization." "This is another example of Hamas’ systematic use of and embedding within civilian infrastructure, including aid distribution centers, to advance and execute terror attacks against IDF troops operating in the Yellow Line area and against Israeli civilians," it said.

"These actions demonstrate that the Hamas terrorist organization systematically violates the ceasefire agreement while attempting to rehabilitate its military capabilities and strengthen its force buildup," IDF stressed.

"Prior to the strike, the IDF issued advance warnings to the population in order to mitigate harm to civilians, in addition to taking further measures to reduce harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and aerial surveillance," it added.