The IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) on Tuesday night confirmed in a statement that they had captured Hamas’s Head of Internal Security while carrying out strikes on several targets in the Gaza Strip in response to threats against Israeli forces.
Earlier in the day, an Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post that the terrorist who was captured was Mu’in al-Arabid, Hamas’s Head of the General Security Apparatus.
However, a Palestinian source in Gaza told the Post that the man captured was in charge of Hamas’s internal security department in the area of Gaza City.
The source added that members of an anti-Hamas group played a role in the operation, and that the terror organization is trying to “downplay the incident and that its internal security forces are actively pursuing militias supported by Israel.”
“A short time ago, a senior Hamas terrorist was arrested, and this is our policy: We do not wait for threats. Instead, we pursue Hamas terrorists, thwart them, and destroy their terrorist infrastructure. We have built a strong and unprecedented security zone in Gaza to protect residents and IDF soldiers,” Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday afternoon.
“Nearly 70% of the Gaza Strip has been destroyed, with no residents, no tunnels, and no homes, and the IDF controls the territory. We are not leaving Gaza until the Strip is demilitarized, Hamas is disarmed, and all terrorist tunnels are destroyed. Even after that, the IDF will remain in Gaza along defensive lines and ensure the security of the western Negev communities. Any attempt to bypass the security zone through aerial launches will be met with a harsh response.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated the Shin Bet and IDF for their “bold action in arresting the head of Hamas’s General Security Apparatus from his home,” in a statement released on Tuesday evening.
Netanyahu called the terrorist “one of the most senior Hamas leaders,” adding that he was “responsible for hiding and transporting our hostages, hiding Hamas senior figures, and building the terror force, including attempting to restore the terror group’s capabilities.”
“Recently, he had been involved in attempts to restore Hamas’s governance in Gaza, in deception on the issue of demilitarizing the strip, and assisting in carrying out terrorist acts against the IDF and Israeli civilians,” the prime minister added.
“My directive is clear: The State of Israel will continue to pursue all Hamas leaders and everyone who took part in the October 7 massacre,” Netanyahu stated.
