With the launch of Operation Strength and Sword, Israel eliminated several senior Hamas officials from its "civilian" wing in Gaza. The most prominent casualty was Essam Da'alis, the "shadow prime minister," killed in an airstrike alongside family members in central Gaza. Other eliminated officials from internal security apparatuses included Mohammed Abu Watfa, Abu Obeida al-Jamasi, and Bahjat Abu Sultan.
As the current military campaign continues, several high-value targets remain on Israel's list. Chief among them is Mohammed Sinwar, brother of eliminated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, now considered the new head of Hamas's military wing. Mohammed Sinwar has emerged as the most senior figure in the terrorist organization in Gaza and a key player in hostage negotiations. Previously, he commanded the Khan Younis Brigade and later headed the southern Gaza sector. Following the elimination of Mohammed Deif and his deputy Marwan Issa, Sinwar assumed leadership of the military wing.
Second on the wanted list is Ezz al-Din al-Haddad, former Gaza City Brigade commander who now oversees the entire northern Gaza sector. Al-Haddad has survived at least one assassination attempt. In a January interview with Al-Jazeera, he revealed details about planning the October 7 massacre, addressing Iran and Hezbollah's foreknowledge of the terror attack. "Considering the large scale and expected implications of the attack, the brothers in the resistance axis were updated on the situation," he stated, adding that "we kept the timing of zero hour within our innermost circle to ensure the success of the attack."
The third significant surviving military leader is Mohammed Shabana, the Rafah Brigade commander. Though Shabana survived an assassination attempt during the war, his brigade was largely dismantled after numerous commanders and operatives were eliminated by the IDF. Like in other sectors, Hamas has attempted to rebuild capabilities in southern Gaza.
Another prominent Hamas figure is Tawfiq Abu Naim, who oversees internal security mechanisms. Released in the Shalit prisoner exchange, Abu Naim is a close associate of Yahya Sinwar and was among the founders of Hamas's military wing. He served more than 20 years in prison after receiving a life sentence for murdering Palestinian collaborators. According to intelligence assessments, Abu Naim remains in the Gaza Strip, though several security chiefs under his command have been eliminated.
Raed Saad, another high-ranking target who formerly commanded the Gaza City Brigade and headed weapons production, was targeted in northern Gaza last summer. Without confirmation of his death, Israeli security officials believe he may still be alive.
In the political realm, most members of Hamas's Gaza political bureau were killed in strikes or fled before the war began, according to previous Israel Hayom reporting. During the ceasefire, it was discovered that Mahmoud az-Zahar, one of Hamas's founders and a bureau member, remains alive despite reports concerning his deteriorating health due to advanced age.
Another surviving bureau member is Ismail Barhoum, head of the finance division, whose assets were frozen last summer after US and British sanctions. Mushir al-Masri, who primarily served as a spokesman, has not been seen publicly since the war began.
During the ceasefire, two Hamas battalion commanders appeared publicly in Gaza, revealing their survival despite earlier reports of their elimination. These include Beit Hanoun Battalion Commander Hussein Fiad and Haitham al-Hawajri. According to Arab sources, Hamas used the ceasefire period to reorganize its military structure and appoint new senior officials after dozens of commanders were eliminated by Israeli forces.
