IDF Kills Hamas Commander in Gaza Amidst Stalled Ceasefire Talks

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the killing of a high-ranking Hamas leader, Muhammad al-‘Ajlah, who was responsible for arming terrorists with weapons used in attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops. The IDF stated that al-‘Ajlah, the commander of Hamas’ Shejaiya battalion, was killed in a "precise strike" on Sunday.

The Shejaiya battalion is a military unit within Hamas's armed wing, primarily operating in the Shejaiya neighborhood of Gaza City. This area has historically been a Hamas stronghold and a site of intense fighting during Israeli military operations. Al-‘Ajlah's elimination marks the fifth commander of the Shejaiya battalion killed since the war began and the third since the renewed operations in Gaza.

According to the IDF, al-‘Ajlah served as the commander of a combat support company within the Shejaiya battalion throughout the war. The IDF also stated that before the strike, measures were taken to minimize civilian casualties, including advanced warnings to civilians, the use of precise munitions, and aerial surveillance. The Shejaiya battalion has been known to employ urban guerrilla warfare tactics, tunnels, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and rocket launches in its operations.

The killing of al-‘Ajlah occurred amidst the resumption of the war on March 18, following a two-month ceasefire. Recent talks in Cairo aimed at restoring the ceasefire and freeing Israeli hostages concluded without a breakthrough, according to Palestinian and Egyptian sources. Hamas demands that Israel commit to ending the war and withdrawing its forces from the Gaza Strip, as agreed in the three-phase ceasefire accord. Israel, however, maintains it will not end the war until Hamas is eliminated and the remaining hostages are returned.