Ali al‑Amoudi, the right‑hand man of former Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, has been a key architect behind the group’s 2023 assault. The Israeli Defence Forces previously announced the death of Sinwar in October 2024, a symbolic blow that did not halt the campaign. Al‑Amoudi is now considered the most senior Hamas figure in Gaza, with a reputation for orchestrating logistics and strategy.
In the pre‑dawn hours of Saturday, two precision munitions struck an apartment block in the Rimal neighbourhood of Gaza City. According to Mahmoud Bassal, spokesperson for the civil defence agency, the missiles ignited a fire that resulted in five fatalities, including two 56‑year‑old Christian women and their 36‑year‑old daughter. The strike also wounded several residents, according to hospital reports.
The Israeli military said it had targeted al‑Amoudi after confirming his presence inside the building and warned that Hamas was using civilians as human shields. It added that it was "reviewing whether the target was killed or injured" and expressed regret over civilian casualties. The claim underscores the ongoing tension over the use of precision strikes in densely populated areas.
Ihab Ayad, a relative of the deceased women, described the household as "minding their own business" when the attack occurred. He lamented that civilians are branded terrorists when they hold a stone, while the Israeli arsenal obliterates entire neighborhoods. A funeral was held at the Greek Orthodox church of Saint Porphyrius, where mourners gathered in silence.
The strike adds to a war that has already claimed over 74,200 lives in Gaza and 1,221 in Israel. While the United States has pushed for a ceasefire framework, Israel remains committed to dismantling Hamas leadership. The Defence Forces will soon report on the status of al‑Amoudi, a decision that will shape the next phase of the campaign.