The Israeli military has claimed responsibility for killing a Hamas commander during an operation in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. According to a statement from the Israeli army, the raid was conducted on Thursday with the assistance of the internal security agency Shin Bet. The military identified the slain individual as Anas Mahmoud Ahmad Hamdan, describing him as a close aide to Hamas’s top leadership.

The statement further alleged that Hamdan played a key role in holding hostages in Gaza and in efforts to return them to Israel. As of the time of the announcement, Hamas had not issued any comment or response to Israel’s claim.

The incident adds to ongoing tensions in the region, though no further details about the operation or its aftermath were provided in the report.