Israel Captures Senior Hamas Commander in Gaza Operation, Defense Minister Says

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the Israel Defense Forces detained Hamas’ general security chief during an operation inside Gaza.

An Israeli security official named the Hamas figure as Mu’in al-Arabid, who leads the group’s General Security Apparatus. The official said he was taken into custody during an Israeli raid carried out deep in Hamas-held territory in Gaza. The IDF used airstrikes to support the forces as they withdrew from the area and reported no Israeli casualties.

In a statement, Katz said the arrest of a senior Hamas operative reflected Israel’s broader approach of acting before threats materialize. He said Israeli forces are continuing to pursue Hamas members, disrupt attacks and dismantle what he described as the group’s terrorist infrastructure, while maintaining a large security zone in Gaza aimed at protecting both Israeli civilians and IDF troops.

Katz also said that close to 70% of the Gaza Strip has been destroyed and is now without residents, tunnels or homes, adding that the IDF controls the area. He said Israel does not intend to leave Gaza until the enclave is demilitarized, Hamas is disarmed and all tunnels used by terrorist groups are eliminated. Even after those goals are met, Katz said, Israeli forces would remain positioned along defensive lines in Gaza to safeguard communities in the western Negev. He warned that any attempt to bypass the security zone through aerial attacks would draw a severe response.

The operation follows pressure from President Donald Trump’s administration, which in August called on Hamas to lay down its weapons and relinquish control of Gaza. Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, visited Israel last month and said the IDF could receive U.S. support to “finish the job.”

Speaking to Fox News’ Trey Yingst, Kushner said that if Hamas fails to honor its commitments, it would show the group is not serious about peace. In that case, he said, Israel would likely gain stronger backing from the United States and other allies to complete the mission in the manner it deems appropriate.

The warning from Trump’s son-in-law followed a rare face-to-face meeting with Hamas in Egypt — only Kushner’s second known meeting with the group.

“They said all the right things, but obviously, it’s very, very hard to trust, you know, a terrorist organization that committed these terrible atrocities,” Kushner continued. “But we had a very cordial meeting, and they said all the right things, and so we’re going to give them a chance to perform.”

“It’s going to have to be based on actions and steps, and I hope it will be true.”

The U.S.-led “Board of Peace” proposal centers on a phased ceasefire, demilitarization of Gaza, Israeli troop withdrawal, Palestinian technocratic governance and international reconstruction efforts.