Israel Defense Forces Kill Top ISIS Leader in Gaza Strip

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the killing of Muhammad Abd al-Aziz Abu Zubaida, the senior-most figure and head of the Islamic State's Palestine District in Gaza, in an airstrike in the Bureij area. Abu Zubaida was responsible for setting policy, planning operations, and overseeing ISIS activities across Gaza, the West Bank, and the Sinai Peninsula, including facilitating weapons transfers and raising terror funds. The IDF highlighted that ISIS fighters have engaged in combat with Israeli forces in Gaza and have played a role in supporting terror infrastructure. This operation was conducted under the guidance of the Southern Command and the Intelligence Directorate. The IDF reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling terror networks and protecting Israeli civilians amid ongoing conflict in the region. Additionally, the killing of Abu Zubaida aligns with broader efforts against various terror groups, including recent raids against ISIS leaders in Syria.