Israel’s military announced on Friday that it had killed Osama Tabash, the head of Hamas’ military intelligence and its surveillance and targeting unit, in an airstrike in southern Gaza on Thursday.
In a statement on X, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) described Tabash as a key figure in Hamas’ military operations. “Tabash was responsible for formulating Hamas’ combat strategy on the ground, coordinating intelligence for its military wing in southern Gaza, and leading operations in the region,” the IDF said.
According to a joint statement by the IDF and Shin Bet, Tabash was a veteran Hamas operative and a “significant source of knowledge” within the organization. He previously served as a battalion commander in Hamas’ Khan Younis Brigade and had been involved in multiple attacks, including a 2005 suicide bombing at the Gush Katif junction that killed Shin Bet coordinator Oded Sharon.
The IDF reported that Tabash, eliminated in the March 20, 2025, strike, had been working to rebuild Hamas’ military capabilities following significant wartime losses. He was also responsible for visual intelligence gathering for targeting operations in both Israel and Gaza.
Military officials believe Tabash played a crucial role in planning the October 7 attack and later gathered intelligence on IDF activities in Gaza to coordinate strikes against Israeli forces. The IDF considers his elimination a major blow to Hamas’ intelligence operations and its ability to target Israeli troops.
