Israel kills one of Hamas' last remaining senior leaders in Gaza

Israel has killed one of the last senior Hamas leaders remaining in the Gaza strip, an official announced on Friday evening.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said in a statement that Izz al-Din Kassab, a member of Hamas' political bureau had been 'eliminated' during an airstrike in Khan Younis.

According to the IDF, Kassab was responsible for national relations within the organisation and oversaw the 'coordination and connection between Hamas and other terrorist organisations in Gaza'. 

He was additionally responsible for Hamas' strategic and military relations with other factions in Gaza. 

The IDF said Kassab 'held the authority to direct the execution of terrorist attacks against the State of Israel.'

According to Reuters, Hamas mourned the death of the senior leader in a statement, adding that he was killed alongside his assistant, Ayman Ayesh, in the strike.

On Friday night, the IDF released dramatic footage of the moment a truck carrying Kassab and Ayesh was struck with precision as it travelled along a dirt road in the city of Khan Younis, which now lies largely in ruins after more than a year of military operations.

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Kassab's death comes just weeks after Israel assassinated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who was widely considered to be the chief architect of the October 7 attacks which saw 1,200 people killed and 250 taken hostage by terrorists. 

After confirming his death, the IDF released the last moments Sinwar was alive as filmed by a drone that entered the shelled-out building where he was hiding. 

Sitting on a dust-laden chair, his head covered in a scarf to hide his identity, Sinwar can be seen peeking through the small gap in the wrapping encasing his face to look directly at the drone, with his right hand wounded by bullets.

HIs last act was to throw a stick at the device just seconds before he was assassinated by Israeli forces in Gaza.

In September, Israel assassinated Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah during a massive strike against the terrorist group in Lebanon.

A slew of other Iran-backed militant commanders have also been killed in recent months.

Israel said earlier this year that it had killed Mohammed Deif, Hamas's military chief, in a strike, though the Palestinian group has not confirmed it.

Deif stood accused of working with Sinwar to plan the October 7 attack.

Kassab's assassination today comes in the wake of a vow made by Israel to eliminate Hamas' entire senior leadership.