Israeli airstrike kills Hamas government chief in secret Gaza bunker

Israel confirmed on Thursday that Rawhi Mushtaha, the Hamas head of government in Gaza and a key political figure in the group’s leadership, was killed in a covert airstrike three months ago.

The strike, which also claimed the lives of two other senior Hamas officials, hit a hidden command center in the northern Gaza Strip.

According to the Israeli military, the underground complex “served as a fortified command and control center,” enabling Hamas leaders to remain concealed for extended periods.

“(Mushtaha) was involved in military decisions while simultaneously acting as the Head of Hamas Civil Governance in Gaza, overseeing the Prisoners Affairs Portfolio and previously managing the group’s finances,” the Israeli army said.

The two other officials killed in the strike were identified as Sameh al-Siraj, who held the security portfolio on Hamas’s political bureau and Labor Committee, and Sami Oudeh, commander of Hamas’s General Security Mechanism.

The military described the underground facility as “fortified and equipped” to protect Hamas leadership.

Mushtaha was known as a close associate of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, with whom he had served time in an Israeli prison, and played a crucial role in the group’s General Security Mechanism.

Mushtaha, considered the highest-ranking figure in Hamas’ political bureau in Gaza, was responsible for maintaining civil governance while engaging in militant activities against Israel.

“Mushtaha was Sinwar’s right-hand man and one of his closest confidants,” the army said.