Israel says senior Hamas commander Ezzedine Al-Bayk killed in Gaza airstrike

Israel has announced the killing of Ezzedine Al-Bayk, the commander of the northern Gaza brigade of Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades, in an overnight airstrike on Gaza City.

In a joint statement issued today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said the Israeli military targeted Al-Bayk in the strike. They claimed Al-Bayk was involved in "planning attacks against Israeli forces and recruiting new operatives."

The statement added: "We will continue to pursue every member of the organization, from its leaders to its last operatives, wherever they hide, until Hamas no longer exists in Gaza."

Palestinian media also reported the targeting of Al-Bayk, stating he was struck in an apartment in the Al-Nasr neighborhood of Gaza City. They added that the Israeli military carried out three airstrikes in the area.

Al-Bayk is the third Hamas brigade commander to be killed by Israel in recent weeks, following the assassinations of Rafah brigade commander Nael Abu Obeid on September 15 and Khan Younis brigade commander Mohammed Al-Yazouri on September 11.