BTN News: In the latest development of the ongoing Gaza conflict, the Israeli military has confirmed the death of Ahmed Fozi Wadia, a senior Hamas commander, who played a prominent role in the deadly attack on the Israeli community of Netiv HaAsara on October 7. Wadia, identified as a leader of a Hamas commando battalion and a member of a specialized paraglider unit, was killed in an Israeli airstrike over the weekend, targeting a site near the Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza.
The strike marks a significant moment in the conflict, which has now stretched into its eleventh month, with over 40,000 casualties reported, according to health officials in Gaza. Wadia’s death follows his appearance in a widely circulated video of the October attack, in which he is seen standing over two wounded children, drinking from a soda bottle, moments after their father, Gil Taasa, was killed by a grenade.
Hamas Commander Identified in Shocking Attack Footage
Israeli authorities presented the footage to international journalists, diplomats, and lawmakers, identifying Ahmed Fozi Wadia as the militant responsible for the attack. The video captured the tragic scene as Gil Taasa, along with his two children, was trying to reach a shelter when a grenade was thrown at them. In a desperate act of protection, Taasa jumped on the grenade, sacrificing his life to shield his children, who were nonetheless injured.
In the chilling aftermath, Wadia is seen casually drinking from a cola bottle taken from the family’s refrigerator, standing near the wounded children. This shocking footage has drawn global condemnation and highlighted the brutal tactics employed by militants during the conflict.
Airstrike Near Gaza’s Al-Ahli Hospital Kills Eight Militants
On Saturday, an Israeli airstrike targeted a Hamas-operated compound in Gaza, killing eight militants, including Wadia. The military clarified that while the strike occurred near the Al-Ahli hospital, the hospital itself was not targeted. However, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that the airstrike killed three people within the hospital grounds, although these claims have not been independently verified.
The Israeli Defense Forces emphasized that the operation aimed to dismantle militant networks operating in the region, asserting that Wadia’s death represents a critical blow to Hamas’s military capabilities.
Escalating Conflict: Casualties Continue to Rise in Gaza War
The death of Ahmed Fozi Wadia comes amid ongoing hostilities that began with the October 7 attack, in which Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostages. This incident ignited a fierce military response from Israel, triggering a prolonged conflict that has resulted in extensive loss of life and deepened tensions across the region.
Gaza’s health officials report that over 40,000 people have been killed in the war so far, with many more injured or displaced. The conflict shows no sign of resolution as both sides continue to engage in retaliatory attacks, drawing international calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian intervention.
Targeting Hamas Leaders: Strategic Strikes and Operations
The targeted killing of Ahmed Fozi Wadia highlights Israel’s strategy of dismantling Hamas’s leadership and military infrastructure through precision airstrikes and ground operations. Military analysts suggest that eliminating key figures like Wadia could disrupt Hamas’s operational capacity, but caution that such tactics may also provoke further retaliation and exacerbate the already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
As the war enters its eleventh month, the international community remains deeply concerned over the growing death toll and the escalating violence, with urgent appeals for a ceasefire and renewed efforts toward a peaceful resolution.
