IDF kills Hamas's West Bank division head in targeted Rafah airstrike

An IDF aircraft struck a Hamas compound in Rafah, targeting head of Hamas West Bank division Yassin Rabia, along with Khalid Nagaar, a senior member of the West Bank division, the IDF reported on Sunday.

The IDF announced "A short while ago, aircraft attacked a Hamas terrorist organization's compound in Rafah where senior terrorists were present.

"The attack targeted terrorists who are legitimate targets under international law, using precise munitions, and was based on prior intelligence indicating the use of the area by Hamas terrorists.

"[The IDF] acknowledged that as a result of the attack and a subsequent fire in the area, several uninvolved individuals were harmed. The incident is under investigation."

Eliminated in the precise airstrike in northwest Rafah: Hamas Chief of Staff in Judea and Samaria and an additional senior Hamas official.Terrorist #1: Yassin RabiaRabia managed the entirety of Hamas' terrorist activity in Judea and Samaria, transferred funds to terrorist… https://t.co/iaGrw8WJ4f

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 26, 2024

Air Force aircraft, with intelligence coordination from the IDF Intelligence Unit and Shin Bet, targeted and eliminated Yassin Rabia, head of Hamas West Bank division and the terrorist Khalid Nagaar, a senior member of the West Bank division of the Hamas terrorist organization on Sunday. The attack took place in the Tel al-Sultan area in northwestern Rafah and was based on precise intelligence.

The West Bank division of the Hamas terrorist organization is responsible for planning, financing, and supporting the perpetration of terrorist attacks in the West Bank and within Israel.

The terrorist Yassin Rabia oversaw all military operations of the West Bank division of the Hamas terrorist organization, was involved in transferring funds for terrorist purposes, and directed Hamas operatives to carry out attacks in the West Bank. In the past, Yassin has executed a number of murderous attacks, including attacks in 2001 and 2002 that resulted in the deaths of IDF soldiers.

The terrorist Khalid Nagaar, a senior member of the West Bank division of the Hamas terrorist organization, orchestrated shooting attacks and other acts of terror in Judea and Samaria and facilitated the transfer of funds earmarked for terrorism for the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip. In the past, Khalid has carried out several murderous attacks, including attacks between 2001 and 2003 in which Israeli civilians were killed, and additional IDF soldiers were killed and injured.

Airstrikes in Gaza

The strikes allegedly killed at least 30 Palestinians and wounded dozens in an area in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah designated for the displaced, Hamas-run Palestinian health and civil emergency service officials said, according to Reuters.

The officials did not address the presence of terrorist infrastucture within the densely populated city.

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri described the attack in Rafah as a "massacre," holding the United States responsible for aiding Israel with weapons and money.

"The air strikes burnt the tents, the tents are melting and the people's bodies are also melting," said one of the residents who arrived at the Kuwaiti hospital in Rafah.

In a later report, The White House has confirmed awareness of the operation. The White House stated, "We are aware of reports of the incident in Rafah, and are collecting additional intelligence."

The cause of death of the civilians in the fire which broke out on Sunday night in Rafah after the airstrike targeting senior Hamas officials was most likely sharpnel hitting a fuel tank during the attack, according to reports on ABC News, citing information Israel has given to the US on Monday.

According to the report, the US has no information to confirm or refute the claim and are waiting for further findings from the IDF investigation.

What was the ICJ's ruling

Last Friday the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in Hague convened to vote on South Africa's claims of Israeli genocide in Gaza. The result of the vote was that Israel and the IDF must stop any military operation in Rafah that destroys in "whole or in part" the Palestinian people, as reported by the Jerusalem Post on Friday.

The report furher noted that the ICJ's ruling did not force the IDF to withdraw from Gaza, nor did it restrict its military actions in other regions in the Gaza Strip.

Nevetherless, Israel stated that the operation in the Strip is to find and destroy Hamas terror infrastructure and terrorists, and not the Palestinian people, and that it plans to continue with it.

Reuters contributed to this post.