In a statement, the military named the Hamas leader as Osama Tabash. It said he was also the head of the militant group’s surveillance and targeting unit.
There was no immediate comment from Hamas.
Who is Osama Tabash
Tabash was instrumental in strategising the October 7 assault on Israel and supervised Hamas’ intelligence activities in southern Gaza. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet issued a joint statement on X, confirming that Tabash was responsible for regional operations coordination and strategic combat planning. He also served as a battalion commander in the Khan Yunis Brigade.
Osama Tabash’s role within Hamas was extensive and significant. According to IDF and Shin Bet’s statement, he commanded a battalion in Hamas’s Khan Younis Brigade whilst holding other crucial positions. He was recognised as a “significant source of knowledge” and headed the surveillance and targeting division, which collected visual intelligence for Hamas operations in Israel and Gaza.
The joint statement, as quoted by the Times of Israel, stated: “Over the years, he was involved in terror activities and orchestrating attacks, including a 2005 suicide bombing at the Gush Katif junction in Gaza that killed Shin Bet coordinator Oded Sharon.” His unit was tasked with gathering intelligence, monitoring Israeli military movements in Gaza, and directing attacks against IDF personnel, according to reports.
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