Jerusalem, Sep 12: Israel has revealed a document, which it says was written by a senior Hamas commander, detailing severe losses suffered by the militant group during Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
The Israeli military says the letter, attributed to Hamas’ Khan Younis Brigade commander Rafa Salama, claims that about 80 per cent of the group’s fighters have been killed, injured, or fled, Xinhua news agency reported.
The Israeli military’s Intelligence Directorate says Salama, who was killed in an airstrike in July, addressed the letter to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and his brother Muhammad, a top Hamas military commander.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Wednesday that the document was among the materials seized by Israeli troops in Gaza.
According to Gallant, it outlines extensive damage to Hamas, including the destruction of 70 per cent of its weapons, loss of 90-95 per cent of its rockets, and death of half its fighters, with more wounded or having fled.
“They are left with about 20 per cent (of the fighters),” Gallant said, quoting the letter.
The document reportedly requests help from the Sinwar brothers, which Gallant said reflects growing distress within Hamas after a monthslong Israeli bombardment.
Israel has been conducting large-scale military operations in Gaza since October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people. Around 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in the ensuing conflict, according to the health authorities in Gaza.
Indian-origin Israeli soldier killed in West Bank
A 24-year-old Indian-origin Israeli soldier from the Bnei Menashe community was killed in a vehicle-ramming attack close to the West Bank’s Beit El settlement, community members said on Thursday.
Staff Sergeant Geri Gideon Hanghal was a resident of Nof HaGalil and a soldier in the Kfir Brigade’s Nahshon Battalion, the Israeli Army said.
Community members told PTI that they were “in shock at the news of the loss of a young life” on Wednesday near Asaf Junction.
Footage from the scene of the attack showed a truck with a Palestinian licence plate veering off a busy highway and barrel full speed into an Israel Defence Forces (IDF) guard post adjacent to a bus stop before coming to a halt.
The suspect was named by Israeli security sources as 58-year-old Hayil Dhaifallah, from the central West Bank town of Rafat. Hanghal immigrated to Israel from the northeastern part of India in 2020. (Agencies)
