19-3-2024 (WASHINGTON) The White House announced on March 18 that Israel had successfully targeted and killed Marwan Issa, the third-in-command of the Hamas militant group. This confirmation came after Israel previously stated that Issa had been the target of an airstrike in Gaza but did not provide confirmation of his death.
During a readout of a call between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan revealed the information, stating, “Hamas’ No. 3 Marwan Issa was killed in an Israeli operation last week.” Sullivan further mentioned that Israel had dealt significant blows to Hamas, eliminating numerous battalions and killing thousands of Hamas fighters, including senior commanders.
#BREAKING: US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan confirms that Israeli strikes in Gaza liquidated Hamas’s #3 Marwan Issa pic.twitter.com/0tDaN2DSg5
— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) March 18, 2024
Sullivan added that the remaining top leaders of Hamas are currently in hiding, likely deep within the extensive tunnel network maintained by the militant group. He emphasized that justice would eventually be served for them as well.
Israel’s military had previously announced on March 11 that an airstrike had targeted an underground compound in central Gaza on March 9-10, aiming for Marwan Issa. They described Issa as one of the masterminds behind Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, Israel’s military spokesman, had noted that Issa served as a deputy to Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas’ armed wing, known as the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades. However, at the time, Rear Admiral Hagari clarified that it was still uncertain whether Issa had been killed in the operation, stating that they were awaiting final confirmation of the strike’s results.
