PIJ spokesman Abu Hamza killed in IAF strike in Gaza

Later on Tuesday, sources within the terror group told Reuters that Hamza had been killed in the strike. 

 Then-PIJ Spokesman, Abu Hamza, giving a press conference on International al-Quds Day, April 2024. (photo credit: Screenshot/YouTube)
Then-PIJ Spokesman, Abu Hamza, giving a press conference on International al-Quds Day, April 2024.
(photo credit: Screenshot/YouTube)

Abu Hamza, the spokesman for the terror group Palestinian Islamic Jihad, was killed in an Israeli strike in the Gaza Strip, the terror group confirmed in a Telegram message on Tuesday.

Sources within the terror group also told Reuters that Hamza had been killed in the strike. 

Earlier, the Saudi news outlet Al Hadath reported that Hamza and his family were killed in their home in Nuseirat.

Operation Strength and Sword

In the early hours of Tuesday, the IDF and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) initiated Operation Strength and Sword, conducting extensive airstrikes on Gaza, targeting middle-level Hamas commanders in addition to senior commanders within the terror group. 

 Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist seen in Khan Yunis, in southern Gaza, February 1, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/Hatem Khaled)Enlrage image
Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist seen in Khan Yunis, in southern Gaza, February 1, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/Hatem Khaled)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he instructed the military to take "strong action" against Hamas in Gaza in response to the group's refusal to release hostages and rejection of all ceasefire proposals.