Israel Says Airstrike Killed Hamas Commander in Gaza

The Israeli military said an airstrike killed Hamas military commander Momen Ahmad Salameh Ay in Gaza City on Tuesday. It alleged that he had helped hold Israeli hostages captive during the war. Yaniv Kubovich’s report, published Wednesday, gives the military’s account.

The military’s account

The Israeli military described Ay as an aide to commanders of Hamas’ Gaza Brigade. It alleged he had recently advanced attacks on Israeli troops and civilians, and sought to restore the group’s capabilities in violation of the cease-fire.

Those claims come from the Israeli military. The report offers no response from Hamas and no independent confirmation of the military’s account. It gives no further information about the airstrike beyond its location in Gaza City and the day it took place: Tuesday. The military’s statement, reported Wednesday, is the source for the claim that Ay died in the strike.

Hostage-taking allegation

The military alleged that Ay had taken part in holding Israeli hostages captive during the war. It doesn't specify which hostages he allegedly held, when the alleged holding occurred, or what role the military said he played. The report identifies him as a commander and an aide to commanders of Hamas’ Gaza Brigade, but says nothing more about his position in the group.

The military’s account links the hostage allegation to its identification of Ay, but the report provides no additional evidence for the claim. It doesn't quote Ay, Hamas, relatives, or other witnesses. The allegation remains attributed to the Israeli military in the account published Wednesday.

Claims about the cease-fire

The military also alleged that Ay had recently advanced attacks on Israeli troops and civilians and sought to restore Hamas’ capabilities. It called those alleged activities a violation of the cease-fire. The report gives no details about the alleged attacks, the civilians or troops involved, or the actions said to amount to an effort to restore the group’s capabilities.

The Israeli military said the airstrike took place in Gaza City on Tuesday. The report gives no time for the strike and no details about its effects beyond the military’s claim that Ay was killed. It doesn't say whether anyone else died or was injured. Those details aren't established in the account provided.

Yaniv Kubovich wrote the report. Its central information is the Israeli military’s claim that an airstrike killed Momen Ahmad Salameh Ay, alongside allegations about hostage-taking, attacks on Israeli troops and civilians, and the cease-fire. Each claim comes from the military; the report provides no additional evidence or response.