The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Friday that it had killed senior Hamas operative Nasser Musa in an airstrike carried out in southern Gaza last week. According to the military, Musa was the head of Hamas’s “control department” in the Rafah Brigade and was targeted on August 9 in Khan Younis. The IDF said he was responsible for overseeing training and readiness for Hamas fighters and had previously held significant roles in intelligence and surveillance.
In a statement, the IDF described Musa as a close associate of Muhammad Shabana, the Rafah Brigade commander killed in May 2025 alongside senior Hamas figure Mohammed Sinwar. Officials said Musa’s elimination further weakened the Rafah Brigade’s operational capacity and hindered its ability to launch attacks against Israeli forces. The strike was carried out in coordination with Israel’s Shin Bet security agency.
The IDF also reported a separate operation on Thursday in which Israeli fighter jets struck a Hamas facility in Khan Younis used to store rockets. The military released footage of the strike, underscoring its continued focus on targeting Hamas’s operational infrastructure in Gaza.
The announcement came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed forward with his plan for a full military takeover of Gaza City. Last week, his office stated that the army would prepare to seize control of the city while ensuring humanitarian aid reached civilians outside combat zones.
However, the plan has sparked intense criticism internationally, with several countries and organisations accusing Israel of worsening the humanitarian situation in Gaza and escalating tensions in the West Bank. Despite continued backing from the United States, analysts warned that the fallout from Netanyahu’s policies could damage Israel’s global reputation for years to come.
In a significant diplomatic shift, France revealed it would recognise Palestinian statehood in September, with the United Kingdom and Canada expected to follow. Germany has begun its own recognition process, and Australia has indicated it is moving toward the same position. Spain and Sweden have called for suspending the European Union’s trade agreement with Israel, while the Netherlands has officially labelled Israel a “security threat,” citing efforts to influence Dutch public opinion.
