- Israel: Hamas economic minister killed in attack
The Israeli military has reportedly targeted and killed the economic minister of the Islamic terrorist organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The military stated that the air force, acting on orders from the military intelligence, neutralized Abed al-Sariei on Sunday. According to Israeli reports, al-Sariei was also involved in Hamas' arms procurement and exchanged information with other terrorist organizations in the Middle East.
"Al-Sariei played a significant role in leading Hamas' efforts to gain control over humanitarian aid supplies entering the Gaza Strip," the military added. He also helped Hamas control markets in the coastal strip. "Moreover, he was responsible for the distribution of fuel, gas, and funds for terrorist purposes." These claims could not be independently verified.
In 2006, Hamas won the last Palestinian parliamentary election. The following year, it seized full control of the Gaza Strip by force, ousting the more moderate Fatah of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas from the area. Since then, Fatah has only ruled in the West Bank, resulting in de facto two governments.
The economic minister's activities extended beyond Gaza, as he was also reportedly exchanging information with terrorist organizations in the Middle East. The ongoing conflict between Hamas and Fatah has mainly affected the political landscape of the Palestinian territories, particularly in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank situated in the Middle East.
