The IDF confirmed the death of Rafa’a Salameh, the commander of Hamas’s Khan Younis Brigade.
Salameh was killed during an IDF operation whose target was also Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas’s military division and the number two Hamas leader.
It isn’t yet clear that Deif, who the IDF has targeted on several occasions, was injured or killed in Saturday’s operation.
Salameh played a critical role in the kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006. In addition, he was heavily involved in tunnel construction and launching missiles from Gaza into Israel.
Salameh’s death “constitutes significant damage to the military capabilities of the Hamas terrorist organization,” added the military.
