Israel says it took out Hamas military intelligence operations chief in Gaza

Israel's military said Wednesday it killed Jamal Abu Saeed, the man it identifies as the head of operations inside Hamas' military intelligence. The IDF credits the hit to a joint operation with Shin Bet carried out in Gaza over the weekend. Word of the strike landed days after the fact, with the announcement coming midweek.

The IDF painted Abu Saeed as a deep bench player for Hamas, holding a string of senior posts over the years. According to the military, he trained operatives outside the Gaza Strip, commanded an anti-tank battalion, and handled military specializations for the group's Central Camps Brigade. The IDF also said he ran Hamas' connections with various countries, calling him a significant source of knowledge for the organization.

One claim stands out. The IDF says Abu Saeed held Omer Shem Tov captive on behalf of Hamas, and that he pushed what the military described as terrorist plots targeting Israeli troops.

The announcement adds another name to Israel's public tally of Hamas figures it says it has taken off the battlefield. For now, the details rest on the IDF's own account of the weekend strikes and of Abu Saeed's role inside the group.