Israel says targetted Hamas member posing as reporter in Gaza

IANS April 7, 2025 255 views

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a targeted operation against a Hamas militant in Gaza who was allegedly disguised as a journalist. Hassan Abdel Fattah Mohammed Aslih, a Hamas member, was reportedly involved in documenting the October 7 attacks and operating a press company. Simultaneously, the IDF killed a Hezbollah artillery commander in southern Lebanon, demonstrating ongoing military actions despite a ceasefire agreement. These strikes highlight the complex and multilayered nature of the current Middle East conflict.

"A terrorist operating under the guise of a journalist" - IDF Statement
Jerusalem/Beirut, April 7: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Monday that it has targetted a Hamas militant posing as a journalist in Gaza and killed a Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon.

Key Points

1

IDF neutralizes Hamas militant documenting October 7 attacks

2

Killed Hamas member owned media company

3

Simultaneous strike on Hezbollah commander in Lebanon

The IDF said in a statement that the army and the internal security service Shin Bet struck Hamas "terrorist" Hassan Abdel Fattah Mohammed Aslih in the Khan Younis area, southern Gaza, "who operates under the guise of a journalist and owns a press company."

According to the IDF statement, Aslih, a member of Hamas' Khan Younis Brigade, participated in the attack on October 7, 2023, during which "he documented and uploaded footage of looting, arson, and murder to social media."

The official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported earlier in the day that Israeli warplanes bombed a media tent near Nasser Medical Complex Hospital in Khan Younis, killing two journalists and wounding Aslih and eight others.

In another statement, the IDF said it killed Mohammed Adnan Mansour, Hezbollah's artillery commander, in an airstrike in the Taybeh area, southern Lebanon, on Monday.

The IDF said Mohammed directed and carried out numerous projectile attacks toward the Upper Galilee area in northern Israel, Xinhua news agency reported.

Lebanon's Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, affiliated with the Ministry of Public Health, said a person was killed on Monday in an Israeli drone strike targetting a motorcycle in the center of the village of Taybeh, located in the eastern sector of the border area, without providing further details regarding the attack.

Since November 27, 2024, a ceasefire agreement between Lebanon's Hezbollah and Israel has been in effect, putting an end to more than a year of hostilities triggered by the war in Gaza.

Despite the agreement, the Israeli military occasionally carries out strikes in Lebanon, claiming that the operations target Hezbollah "threats".

Reader Comments

S
Sarah K.
This is deeply concerning if true. Journalists should never be used as human shields or cover for military operations. But I hope there's concrete evidence to back these claims. 🕵️‍♀️
M
Mike T.
The IDF has been pretty transparent with their evidence in past cases. If this guy was really documenting atrocities on Oct 7 while pretending to be press, that's beyond messed up.
A
Aisha R.
Two actual journalists died in this strike according to WAFA. Even if the target was legitimate, the collateral damage is heartbreaking. Press freedom is already under enough threat in conflict zones.
J
James L.
The ceasefire seems fragile with these continued strikes. Both sides need to show restraint - the people living in these border areas deserve peace after so much violence.
D
Daniel P.
Respectfully, the article could provide more context about the ceasefire terms. What exactly constitutes a "threat" that justifies these strikes? The wording feels vague.
L
Leila M.
The situation is so complex. On one hand, militants shouldn't hide among civilians/press. On the other, every strike risks innocent lives. There are no easy answers here. 😔

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
Israel-Hamas War Gaza Conflict Military Intelligence Hamas IDF Journalist Target
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