Israel publishes list of Hamas ‘most wanted’

Israel has published an updated “most wanted” list of Hamas leaders in the besieged Gaza Strip, Israeli Reshet news site reported.

Commander-in-chief of the Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades, Mohammed Deif

The site, which has previously published a list of wanted persons, some of whom were assassinated during Israel’s 2014 war on Gaza, said that the commander-in-chief of the Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades, Mohammed Deif, heads the list.

According to the site, despite being injured from a previous assassination attempt, Deif remains Hamas’ military commander and manages the Qassam Brigades.

His deputy, Marwan Issa, also appears on the list, while Ahmed Al-Ghandour, who heads the brigades’ northern branch, is also to be targeted. According to the site, Al-Ghandour had a hand in the capture of Israeli occupation soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006.

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The list also includes the commander of the Khan Yunis Brigade, Muhammad Al-Sunwar, has been a member of the Qassam Brigades since the 1990s. Al-Sunwar has survived six assassination attempts and has previously been detained by Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Alleged members of Hamas who live abroad are also included on the list. Amongst them is Maan A-Khatib in Malaysia as well as Mahmoud Atoun and Musa Akkari who both live in Turkey. Israel accuses the men of transferring money to Gaza and the West Bank for military purposes.