The IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) have conducted joint operations to kill terrorists from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in Gaza over the past two weeks, naming nine senior terrorists who were killed during this period in an announcement by the military on Sunday.
Eight of the terrorists were from Hamas, and one was a PIJ member.
The nine terrorists who were killed ran units which operated to rebuild their military capabilities, including Hamas's Weapons Production Headquarters and their Military Intelligence Unit, the military added.
The Weapons Production Headquarters is responsible for restoring and expanding the terror group's weapons arsenal, and the Military Intelligence Unit provides intelligence in an attempt to maintain the operational control of Hamas's military wing, Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades, and to advance terror activities against Israel, the military noted.
Names and responsibilities of the nine terrorists
Muhammad Abu Awwad was a senior terrorist in Hamas's Weapons Production Headquarters, specifically the Projects and Development Department. He was responsible for developing and advancing Hamas's precision missile project, and served as head of Production and Technical Control, the military said.
Mustafa Dababesh was the deputy head of a department in the Weapons Production Headquarters.
Bilal Abu Shikha and Tayseer Shareem were both section commanders in the Weapons Production Headquarters.
Mundhir Salami was a production site commander in the Weapons Production Headquarters who oversaw the production of various types of weapons, including significantly contributing to the terror group's military buildup in Gaza, the military announced.
Bilal Musallam was a section commander in Hamas's Military Intelligence Unit, and Ahmad Abu Shamala was a squad commander in the same unit.
Rabi' Mustafa Rabi' Sukhweil was a financial operative in the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades who was involved in transferring millions of dollars in terror funds to Hamas, thus financing its continued terror activities and reestablishment, the military announced.
Muhammad al-Bayouk was a senior terrorist in the PIJ's Weapons Production Apparatus.