Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Marwan Issa

Marwan Issa (Arabic: مروان عيسى; c. 1965 – March 2024) was a senior Palestinian militant and deputy commander of the Brigades, the military wing of , where he served as and a primary architect of the group's operational strategy, including the , 2023, attacks on that killed over 1,200 people. Born in Gaza's to a family originating from what is now 's region, Issa joined during the in the late 1980s, was imprisoned by for five years on militancy charges, and rose through the ranks to become one of the organization's most elusive leaders, evading capture for decades and earning the moniker "shadow man" for his low-profile operations. Issa coordinated Hamas's military buildup in , including production and networks, and was designated a terrorist by the for his role in directing attacks against civilians and soldiers. He was killed in an on March 10, 2024, in the Nuseirat area of central —a strike described as intelligence-driven and which also eliminated another Hamas operative—though Hamas initially denied the death before confirming it on January 30, 2025, amid a negotiation period. His elimination marked a significant blow to 's command structure, following the deaths of other top figures and amid 's ongoing campaign to dismantle the group's leadership after October 7.

Early Life and Background

Birth and Upbringing in Gaza

Marwan Issa was born in 1965 in the Bureij refugee camp located in the central . His family had been displaced from the area near in what is now southern during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, a common background for many residents of Gaza's refugee camps established by the . Issa grew up amid the overcrowded and impoverished conditions typical of Bureij camp, which housed and their descendants under Egyptian administration until 1967 and later Israeli occupation. He received his early education through schools operated by the Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (), the primary provider of basic schooling in Gaza's camps during that era. Detailed accounts of Issa's childhood and family life remain scarce, reflecting his deliberate low profile even in biographical sketches from security and intelligence analyses; sources consistently note that little beyond his birthplace and residency is publicly documented prior to his involvement in militant activities. This opacity aligns with the operational secrecy maintained by senior figures, limiting verifiable personal details to those corroborated across multiple reports from think tanks and media outlets tracking .

Initial Exposure to Islamist Militancy

Marwan Issa was born in 1965 in the refugee camp in the central , to parents displaced from the area during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. The camp's conditions of poverty and overcrowding, stemming from the post-1948 Palestinian , fostered widespread resentment toward among residents, including exposure to Islamist ideologies propagated through local networks that predated . Issa received his early education in Relief and Works Agency () schools within the camp, where informal Islamist teachings often circulated amid the broader socio-political tensions in . Issa's direct initial exposure to organized Islamist militancy came during the , which began on December 9, 1987, with widespread Palestinian uprisings against Israeli occupation. At age 22, he aligned with the newly emerging movement—founded that month by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin as an Islamist alternative to the secular —joining its ranks amid the intifada's violent protests, stone-throwing campaigns, and early armed activities. This period marked Hamas's shift from charitable and (proselytizing) efforts to militant resistance, influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood's long-standing presence in since the 1940s. Israeli authorities arrested Issa in 1987 on charges of Hamas affiliation, an event confirming his early operational involvement in the group's nascent militant structures during the 's opening months. His participation reflected the broader radicalization of youth in camps, where Islamist groups capitalized on grievances to recruit for jihadist activities against Israeli forces.

Entry and Rise in Hamas

Arrests, Imprisonment, and Radicalization

Issa was arrested by forces in 1987 amid the early stages of the for his affiliation with and activities in support of , the Islamist militant group founded that December. He received a five-year sentence and was incarcerated until 1992, during which time he engaged in organizing Hamas cells within the prison system as part of the broader of Palestinian militants exposed to Islamist ideology under detention. Following his release, Issa resumed clandestine operations for but faced further detention by the Palestinian Authority from 1997 to 2000, as the PA sought to curb the growing influence of Islamist factions challenging its control. He was freed amid the outbreak of the Second Intifada in September 2000, an uprising that aligned with 's strategy of armed resistance against . These successive imprisonments intensified Issa's commitment to Hamas's jihadist objectives, transforming his early involvement into a lifelong dedication to building the group's military apparatus; upon release from custody, he transitioned directly into operational roles within the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's armed wing. The experiences of and interrogation under both and Palestinian authorities, common catalysts for militant hardening among Gaza's youth, underscored the causal link between perceived oppression and deepened ideological entrenchment in Issa's case.

Ascension to Senior Military Roles

Following his release from Palestinian Authority detention in late 2000 amid the Second Intifada, Marwan Issa deepened his involvement in Hamas's military wing, the Brigades, where he had been active since its formation in the early . Issa assumed operational responsibilities, leveraging his prior experience from the to help structure the Brigades into a more organized force capable of sustained guerrilla operations, including ambushes and rocket development. By the mid-2000s, Issa had risen to a senior planning role within the Brigades' command, coordinating between field operatives and higher leadership while evading targeting through rigorous operational security. His ascent accelerated in November 2012 following the of Ahmed al-Ja'abari, the Brigades' overall commander, after which Issa was appointed deputy to , the new de facto military chief, overseeing logistics, training, and strategic preparations in . This position solidified his influence over the Brigades' doctrine, emphasizing tunnel networks and long-range strikes. Issa's low-profile approach—earning him the moniker "shadow man" among —enabled his survival amid multiple attempts, allowing him to bridge military and political factions by the late 2010s. U.S. designations from 2007 onward recognized him as a deputy-level figure, reflecting his growing authority in directing cross-border operations and arms procurement.

Operational Leadership in Hamas Military Wing

Involvement in the Second Intifada

Marwan Issa was detained by the Palestinian Authority in 1997 for his affiliations and released in 2000 amid the onset of the Second , a period of intensified Palestinian-Israeli violence that erupted following Ariel Sharon's visit to the on September 28, 2000. Upon release, Issa rejoined the Brigades, Hamas's military wing, and contributed to its operational restructuring during the uprising, which saw over 1,000 killed in suicide bombings, shootings, and other attacks between 2000 and 2005. He reportedly planned infiltration operations targeting settlements, aligning with the Brigades' tactics of cross-border raids and ambushes that aimed to undermine security in border areas. Issa's efforts focused on central Gaza, where he helped rebuild the Brigades' local battalions, including in the area, following counteroperations that decimated infrastructure early in the . Working alongside commanders like , who orchestrated major attacks until his assassination in July 2002, Issa supported the shift toward more coordinated , including the use of improvised explosive devices and smuggling networks to sustain militant activities against forces and civilians.

Development of Asymmetric Warfare Capabilities

Marwan Issa, as deputy commander of Hamas's Brigades since approximately 2007, directed operational efforts to bolster the group's arsenal, prioritizing low-cost, high-impact tactics such as improvised explosives, anti-tank weapons, and hit-and-run ambushes to exploit Israel's conventional military vulnerabilities. His role involved coordinating training regimens that emphasized guerrilla maneuvers, urban combat, and evasion techniques, drawing from lessons in prior conflicts like the Second and 2008-2009 operations. Issa oversaw the expansion of Hamas's domestic rocket production, enabling the Brigades to fire thousands of unguided projectiles during escalations; following the 2014 Gaza conflict, he publicly affirmed the organization's commitment to ongoing and acquisition of advanced munitions to sustain long-range strikes against centers. This buildup included adaptations like increased payload capacities and improved guidance systems, often sourced via networks, allowing to launch over 4,000 rockets in the 2014 war alone despite countermeasures. Complementing rocket capabilities, Issa contributed to the fortification of an extensive subterranean system—estimated by assessments at 300-500 kilometers by the early —used for weapon storage, fighter infiltration, and cross-border assaults, transforming Gaza's terrain into a defensive multiplier for prolonged . These networks facilitated surprise incursions, such as the 2014 raid near that killed soldiers, underscoring Issa's focus on resilient to aerial . Through such developments, the Brigades under Issa's command shifted from sporadic raids to a structured of sustained asymmetric pressure, integrating Iranian-supplied technology with local improvisation.

Key Role in Planning the October 7, 2023 Attacks

Marwan Issa, serving as deputy commander of Hamas's Brigades under , functioned as the military wing's chief of staff and operational overseer, directly contributing to the planning and execution of the , 2023, attacks on . In this capacity, Issa managed day-to-day logistics, training regimens, and coordination among Hamas's specialized units, including those responsible for rocket barrages, border breaches, and ground incursions that resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and over 250 abductions. Israeli military intelligence assessments designate Issa as one of the primary architects of the assault, alongside Deif and , emphasizing his role in transforming the Brigades into a structured force capable of sustained, multi-phase operations through years of covert preparations. This included overseeing the stockpiling of weapons, construction of extensive tunnel networks for staging and exfiltration, and conducting deception exercises to mask Hamas's buildup from surveillance. U.S. of charges further implicate Issa in the deliberate orchestration of the massacres, noting his oversight of tactical elements like the synchronized launch of over 3,000 rockets and the deployment of around 1,500 fighters via paragliders, motorcycles, and bulldozers to overrun border defenses. Issa's low-profile operational style, honed during prior conflicts, enabled him to evade detection while enforcing compartmentalization among planning cells, ensuring the attack's secrecy despite its scale. These efforts culminated in the "Jericho Wall" operation, as internally codenamed by , which Issa helped refine into a feasible blueprint for overwhelming positions in the communities. While has not publicly detailed Issa's specific contributions, the group's military hierarchy positions him as indispensable to Deif's strategic directives, with post-attack analyses attributing the assault's tactical sophistication to his administrative and enforcement roles within the Brigades.

International Designations as a Terrorist

Sanctions and Terrorist Listings

The United States Department of State designated Marwan Issa as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) on September 10, 2019, under the amended Executive Order 13224, which authorizes sanctions against individuals and entities involved in terrorism to disrupt their financial networks. This action targeted Issa specifically for his role as deputy commander of Hamas's Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the group's military wing responsible for planning and executing terrorist attacks against Israel. The designation, administered by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), resulted in the freezing of any assets Issa held under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibited U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with him, aiming to isolate his operational funding and support. The added Issa to its autonomous terrorist list on December 8, 2023, as part of measures responding to Hamas's , 2023, attacks on , which killed over 1,200 people and involved mass abductions. Decision (CFSP) 2023/1129 cited Issa's position as second-in-command of the Qassam Brigades under Muhammad Deif, emphasizing his direct involvement in directing terrorist operations, including rocket attacks and tunnel construction for cross-border assaults. These sanctions imposed an asset freeze across member states and a travel ban, preventing Issa from entering or transiting territory, with the measures renewable annually based on ongoing threat assessments. Israel has classified Issa as a senior terrorist operative since at least the early 2000s, subjecting him to targeted financial restrictions and operational pursuits under domestic laws, though specific sanction dates align with broader designations predating his rise to deputy command. Other nations, including the and , have incorporated Issa into their terrorist asset-freeze regimes through alignment with UN and bilateral lists, prohibiting financial dealings and support. No individual UN Security Council terrorist designation under Resolution 1267 or related regimes applies directly to Issa, as lacks formal UN proscription, limiting global enforcement to and regional actions. On September 3, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice unsealed a criminal complaint charging Marwan Issa, alongside five other senior Hamas leaders, with multiple counts of terrorism-related offenses stemming from the group's October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. These charges included conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death, conspiracy to murder U.S. nationals abroad, conspiracy to bomb places of public use resulting in death, conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction resulting in death, and related financial and sanctions violations, each carrying potential penalties of life imprisonment or, in some cases, the death penalty. The indictment attributed to Issa a key role in planning and executing the assaults, which killed over 1,200 people, including more than 40 Americans, through coordinated incursions involving rockets, ground fighters, and deliberate targeting of civilians. Issa's prior U.S. designation as a on September 10, 2019, under facilitated asset freezes and prohibited transactions with him, laying groundwork for broader legal restrictions and international cooperation in tracking his activities. This status, based on his leadership in Hamas's , enabled U.S. authorities to pursue financial networks supporting his operations, though it preceded the specific criminal charges tied to the 2023 attacks. authorities added Issa to their terrorist list on December 8, 2023, in direct response to the events, imposing similar asset-blocking measures and travel bans to disrupt his command role. Legal pursuits against Issa emphasized accountability for Hamas's transnational violence, with U.S. investigators from the FBI leading efforts to dismantle support structures, though his reported death in March 2024 shifted focus from apprehension to posthumous prosecution of the charged conspiracies. No formal international arrest warrants or bounties were publicly detailed beyond these designations and charges, reflecting the challenges of pursuing fugitives embedded in Gaza's militant infrastructure.

Death and Elimination

The March 2024 Israeli Airstrike

The (IDF) conducted an airstrike on the night of March 9–10, 2024, targeting an underground compound in the al-Nuseirat refugee camp in central , based on intelligence indicating the presence of Marwan Issa, deputy commander of Hamas's Brigades. The operation was described by the IDF as a precision strike aimed at disrupting Hamas's military command structure amid ongoing hostilities following the , 2023, attacks. Israeli military officials reported that the target included a used by senior Hamas operatives, though specific details on the weaponry—such as the type of aircraft or munitions employed—were not publicly disclosed at the time. On March 11, 2024, the publicly stated that it had struck a site where Issa was believed to be located but was still assessing the outcome, citing challenges in verifying results in the densely populated and underground environment of the . officials initially denied Issa's presence or death in the , claiming the caused casualties without affecting leadership, a narrative consistent with prior responses to targeted killings that often downplay losses to maintain operational morale. The al-Nuseirat area, a longstanding stronghold with extensive tunnel networks, had been subject to repeated operations, providing contextual cover for high-value targets like Issa to evade detection through compartmentalized movements and decoy tactics. No independent verification of the strike's immediate effects, such as exact casualty figures or structural damage, was available from neutral observers due to restricted access in the , though health authorities affiliated with reported deaths among civilians in the vicinity without specifying militant involvement. The operation underscored Israel's emphasis on intelligence-driven eliminations of 's upper echelon, with Issa designated as a priority target for his role in and development.

Confirmation and Immediate Aftermath

The death of Marwan Issa was first publicly confirmed by the on March 18, 2024, when White House National Security Advisor stated that Issa, deputy commander of Hamas's Brigades, had been killed in an airstrike in central the previous week. The strike targeted an underground complex in the on March 10, 2024, where intelligence indicated Issa was present alongside other militants. Sullivan described Issa as a key architect of the , 2023, attacks, emphasizing the operation's success in degrading Hamas's command structure. Israel's military followed with an official confirmation on March 26, 2024, when spokesperson announced that Issa had been eliminated in the March 10 airstrike, which also killed Abu Tama', commander of Hamas's Central . Hagari attributed the intelligence to precise surveillance, noting Issa's role in orchestrating Hamas's military operations and evasion tactics. The framed the elimination as a major achievement, given Issa's long-standing elusiveness and his nickname "" for avoiding capture since the . Hamas provided no immediate response to the or announcements, maintaining silence consistent with its of withholding confirmations of senior losses to project resilience and avoid internal morale impacts. Early unconfirmed reports from media indicated Hamas officials expressed private "concern" over the strike shortly after March 10, but no public martyrdom declaration or funeral occurred at the time. In the days following the confirmations, Hamas continued low-level rocket attacks from and ambushes on forces in central , showing no observable operational pause attributable to Issa's loss. US officials, including congressional figures, welcomed the development as a step toward dismantling leadership, with Representative stating it demonstrated Israel's effectiveness against terrorist networks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office highlighted the strike's precision, crediting it to enhanced intelligence amid the ongoing campaign, though it did not alter the broader military tempo. The confirmations fueled debates on 's adaptability, with analysts noting that while Issa's removal disrupted planning chains, surviving leaders like retained operational continuity through decentralized cells.

Assessments and Controversies

Differing Narratives from Hamas and Adversaries

Hamas initially refrained from confirming or denying Marwan Issa's death following Israeli claims of his elimination in a March 10, 2024, airstrike on a tunnel complex in the Nuseirat refugee camp, with spokespersons expressing distrust in Israeli military assertions and commanders of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades issuing no immediate statements. This silence was interpreted by Israeli officials, including IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, as an effort by Hamas to conceal the loss of a key deputy commander and maintain operational continuity and morale among fighters. In contrast, Israeli and U.S. intelligence assessed Issa's death as highly probable based on multiple indicators, including , , and forensic analysis from the strike site, with the U.S. National Security Adviser publicly confirming on , 2024, that Issa had been killed in the . officially corroborated the elimination on March 26, 2024, via IDF spokesperson , emphasizing Issa's role as a primary of the October 7, 2023, attacks and his evasion of prior attempts through underground networks. These narratives diverged further in the ensuing months, as sources reportedly admitted privately to the death by July 2024 amid internal assessments of command disruptions, yet official acknowledgment was withheld until political bureau member confirmed Issa's killing on January 20, 2025, during discussions on hostage negotiations, framing it within broader resistance claims rather than operational setback. Adversaries maintained that the delayed confirmation reflected strategic denial to project resilience, underscoring Issa's critical function in planning and recruitment, which Israeli analyses described as a significant degradation of 's Gaza-based military hierarchy.

Impact on Hamas Command Structure and Operations

Issa's elimination on March 10, 2024, in an airstrike in the represented a significant blow to 's hierarchy, as he served as deputy commander of the Brigades under and acted as a critical liaison between Deif and overall leader . His role extended to , including and coordination of attacks, making him a central figure in bridging execution with strategic decision-making. The loss compounded the death of Deif in a July 13, 2024, strike—confirmed by Hamas in January 2025—effectively dismantling the top echelon of the Brigades' command, which assessments described as severing key links in Hamas's -based "War Council." This forced a restructuring, with Sinwar assuming direct oversight of the wing following the eliminations of Issa and Deif, though his own death on , 2024, further exacerbated the vacuum. sources reported that such targeted killings had eliminated approximately half of Hamas's senior , including six commanders and over a dozen leaders by mid-2024, degrading centralized in operations. Hamas's confirmation of Issa's death in January 2025 by spokesperson underscored the cumulative toll, yet the group maintained operational continuity through decentralized cells and surviving mid-level commanders, as evidenced by persistent rocket fire and guerrilla tactics into 2025. Operationally, Issa's absence disrupted short-term coordination for complex assaults, given his reputed strategic acumen in planning operations like the , 2023, attack, but did not halt Hamas's , which relies on tunnel networks and dispersed fighters rather than top-down directives. The psychological impact was notable, with analysts noting it instilled among remaining leaders and complicated internal amid ongoing Israeli intelligence penetrations. However, Hamas adapted by elevating figures like Khalid Sinwar to interim roles, sustaining low-level engagements despite the structural strain, as indicated by continued hostage-holding and sporadic attacks reported through October 2025. Overall, while the elimination weakened hierarchical cohesion, Hamas's ideological resilience and compartmentalized structure mitigated total operational collapse.

References

  1. [1]
    Marwan Issa: Shadowy Hamas 'chief of staff' who was a key ...
    Mar 12, 2024 · Nicknamed the “Shadow Man” due to his ability to stay off Israel's radar, the 59-year-old Gazan has played a significant role in a long string of terror ...
  2. [2]
    Marwan Issa | Counter Extremism Project
    Marwan Issa was the U.S.-designated deputy commander of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing. · Born in a refugee camp in the central Gaza ...
  3. [3]
    Who Was Marwan Issa, the Hamas Commander Killed by Israel?
    Mar 18, 2024 · Mr. Issa was born in the Bureij area of central Gaza in 1965, but his family hails from what is now the Ashkelon area in Israel. A Hamas ...
  4. [4]
    The target: Marwan Issa, Hamas's strategic brain - JNS.org
    Mar 13, 2024 · Issa was born in 1965 in the Al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. He is among the close group of confidants who surrounded ...
  5. [5]
    Hamas confirms killing of its military leader, months after airstrike
    Jan 30, 2025 · Hamas' armed wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, on Thursday confirmed the killing of its military leader Mohammed Deif and deputy military commander Marwan Issa in ...
  6. [6]
    Slain Hamas deputy chief Marwan Issa given Gaza burial
    Feb 7, 2025 · The Israeli military said it killed Issa in a March 2024 airstrike. Hamas only confirmed his death on January 30 amid an ongoing ceasefire with ...
  7. [7]
    Hamas official confirms death of top military commander Marwan Issa
    Jan 20, 2025 · The deputy to former Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif has been eliminated, a senior Hamas official said.<|separator|>
  8. [8]
    Which Hamas leaders have been killed by Israel and which remain
    Sep 29, 2025 · Deputy Hamas military commander Marwan Issa was killed in an Israeli strike in March 2024, the Israeli military said. He had been at the top of ...
  9. [9]
    Marwan Issa: The 'shadow man' of Hamas - Al Majalla
    Mar 31, 2024 · Issa's story began in 1965. The man who would be known as "the shadow man" was born in the Bureij refugee camp in the central-eastern Gaza Strip ...
  10. [10]
    Marwan Issa* | ECFR - European Council on Foreign Relations
    Marwan Issa (مروان عيسى) was the deputy leader of Hamas's Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades. He was born in 1965 in Gaza's Bureij's refugee camp.Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  11. [11]
    Who Is Marwan Issa, the 'Shadow Man', Al-Qassam Brigade's No. 2?
    Mar 13, 2024 · Marwan Abdel Karim Issa was born in 1965 in the Bureij refugee camp in Gaza. He grew up in the camp and received his education in UNRWA schools ...
  12. [12]
    Israel says it's 'assessing' air strike on Hamas' deputy military ...
    Mar 11, 2024 · Who is Marwan Issa? Mr Issa is the deputy commander of Hamas' military wing, Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, according to the nonprofit and non- ...<|separator|>
  13. [13]
    PROFILE - Marwan Issa: Mysterious fate of Hamas' 'shadow man'
    Mar 27, 2024 · Accused of joining Hamas, Issa was arrested by the Israeli army during the First Intifada in 1987 for five years. He also spent four years in ...
  14. [14]
    Inside Hamas: How It Thinks, Fights, and Governs
    Oct 7, 2025 · Yassin traced Hamas' origins to the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, whose ties to Palestine dated back to 1935 when Hassan al-Banna's brother met ...
  15. [15]
    Marwan Issa: Who is the deputy to Hamas leader Mohammed Deif?
    Mar 11, 2024 · Marwan Issa, the Hamas leader targeted in an IDF airstrike on Saturday, is the deputy of Mohammad Deif, the head of Hamas's military with the Izz al-Din al- ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  16. [16]
  17. [17]
  18. [18]
    Hamas: What has happened to its most prominent leaders? - BBC
    Jan 21, 2025 · Marwan Issa was the deputy commander-in-chief of al-Qassam Brigades and believed to have been a key planner of the 7 October attack. He was on ...
  19. [19]
    [PDF] The 2014 Gaza Conflict: Factual and Legal Aspects - Gov.il
    ... second intifada (“uprising”), which began in September 2000, and has ... For example, the home of Marwan Issa, one of the heads of Hamas's Izz al-Din ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  20. [20]
    [PDF] Complaint - Department of Justice
    It was a part and an object of the conspiracy that ISMAIL HANIYEH,. YAHYA SINWAR, a/k/a “Abu Ibrahim,” MOHAMMAD AL-MASRI, a/k/a “Mohammed Deif,” a/k/a “al ...
  21. [21]
    Hamas's Top Terrorist Leadership - FDD
    Jan 10, 2024 · Marwan Issa is deputy military commander of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades and a senior aide to Gaza military leader Mohammed Deif. Issa, who ...
  22. [22]
    [PDF] AN ASSESSMENT OF THE 2014 GAZA CONFLICT
    Hamas military wing leader Marwan Issa has stated publicly that the organisation continues to manufacture rockets and is trying to obtain more weapons and.<|separator|>
  23. [23]
    IDF's Subterranean Challenge: Profiling Gaza Metro, Hamas's ...
    Dec 28, 2023 · Hamas has developed a complex subterranean infrastructure consisting of tunnels, command and control centres, living accommodation, stores and ...
  24. [24]
    The 2014 Gaza War
    But on 21 July, Hamas fighters emerged from a tunnel inside Israel approximately 1.1 km away from Sderot and fired an anti-tank missile, killing four soldiers, ...
  25. [25]
    [PDF] Hamas Today: An Assessment of Alliances and Capabilities
    Mar 8, 2015 · Marwan Issa, the current leader of Hamas' Izz ad-din al-Qassam Brigades, has boasted that preparations are well underway for the next ...<|separator|>
  26. [26]
    Terrorist Designations under Amended Executive Order ... - state.gov
    Sep 10, 2019 · Today, the President signed an Executive Order modernizing and strengthening sanctions authorities to combat terrorism.<|separator|>
  27. [27]
    Designation of Marwan Issa as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist
    Sep 19, 2019 · Department of State. [Public Notice: 10893]. Acting under the authority of and in accordance with section 1(a)(ii)( ...Missing: Treasury OFAC
  28. [28]
    Executive Order Amending Counter Terrorism Sanctions Authorities
    Sep 10, 2019 · Executive Order Amending Counter Terrorism Sanctions Authorities ... Designated Global Terrorist after the effective date. In addition ...
  29. [29]
    Fight against terrorism: Council adds two individuals to the EU ...
    Dec 8, 2023 · The Council decided to add two individuals to the EU terrorist list. This decision comes as part of European Union's response to the threat posed by Hamas.
  30. [30]
    Hamas - Terrorist organisations - Australian National Security
    Public statements made by Hamas' political leaders acknowledge and support the terrorism-related activities of the Brigades. Since 2005, Hamas terrorist attacks ...
  31. [31]
    IDF confirms Marwan Issa, Hamas's No. 3, was killed in central Gaza ...
    Mar 26, 2024 · IDF confirms Marwan Issa, Hamas's No. 3, was killed in central Gaza strike · More options.
  32. [32]
    Israel claims senior Hamas commander Marwan Issa killed in Gaza ...
    Mar 26, 2024 · Israel's military spokesman says Hamas deputy military commander Marwan Issa was killed earlier this month in an Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip.
  33. [33]
    IDF confirms senior Hamas member Marwan Issa was killed in strike
    Mar 26, 2024 · The IDF confirmed earlier this month that Issa was targeted in an airstrike in Nuseirat in central Gaza but said they were unable to confirm ...
  34. [34]
    Israel checking if top Hamas militant killed in air strike, Haaretz ...
    Mar 11, 2024 · The Israeli military is checking whether senior Hamas militant Marwan Issa was killed in an air strike in Gaza this week, Israeli newspaper ...Missing: details | Show results with:details
  35. [35]
    Hamas third-in-command Marwan Issa killed in Israeli operation ...
    Mar 18, 2024 · Israel's military said on March 11 that an airstrike on an underground compound in central Gaza on March 9-10 had targeted Issa, describing ...Missing: details | Show results with:details<|separator|>
  36. [36]
    U.S. official confirms Israeli forces killed senior Hamas military ...
    Mar 18, 2024 · US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan confirmed on Monday an Israeli airstrike in the Nuseirat area last week killed senior Hamas military commander ...
  37. [37]
    Israeli forces raid al-Shifa hospital; U.S. confirms death of Marwan Issa
    Mar 18, 2024 · The White House, meanwhile, confirmed that Marwan Issa, the deputy commander of Hamas's military wing, was killed in an Israeli strike earlier ...
  38. [38]
    US reports death of senior Hamas military leader Marwan Issa - BBC
    Mar 18, 2024 · Hamas leader Marwan Issa died in an Israeli air strike, White House official Jake Sullivan has said. As deputy military commander, Mr Issa ...
  39. [39]
    White House: Israel Killed Hamas Deputy Chief - FDD
    Mar 18, 2024 · U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan confirmed on March 18 that Israeli forces killed Marwan Issa, deputy chief of Hamas military ...
  40. [40]
    Israel confirms Hamas' Marwan Issa killed in airstrike earlier this month
    Mar 26, 2024 · IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari confirmed that Hamas' No. 3 in Gaza, Marwan Issa, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on March 10.Missing: announcement | Show results with:announcement
  41. [41]
    Israel confirms Hamas deputy military commander killed in Israeli ...
    Mar 26, 2024 · Hamas deputy military commander Marwan Issa was killed in an Israeli strike this month, Israel's military spokesperson said on Tuesday.Missing: death | Show results with:death
  42. [42]
    Hamas 'concerned' about reported death of 'shadow man' Marwan Issa
    Mar 11, 2024 · Hamas is "concerned" about reports that one of its top commanders was killed in a weekend air strike in Gaza, according to Israeli media.
  43. [43]
    Hoyer Statement on Israeli Forces Killing Second-in-Command of ...
    “I was pleased to hear the White House confirm that Israeli forces recently eliminated the second-in-command of Hamas' military wing, Marwan ...Missing: impact | Show results with:impact
  44. [44]
    White House confirms Israel killed Hamas No. 3 in strike last week
    Mar 19, 2024 · Jake Sullivan becomes first official in any government to definitively say Marwan Issa is dead, adds other top Hamas leaders 'are in hiding ...Missing: announcement | Show results with:announcement
  45. [45]
    HAMAS refuses to confirm death of its 'number three' Marwan Issa
    Mar 26, 2024 · "We have no trust in the Israeli military's claims about the alleged death of Marwan Issa. Commanders of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades ...
  46. [46]
    IDF chief says Hamas trying to hide fate of No. 3, as Gallant hints at ...
    Mar 17, 2024 · IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said Sunday that Hamas is trying to hide the fate of Marwan Issa, the deputy commander of the terror group's military ...
  47. [47]
    US confirms Israel killed Hamas no. 3 Marwan Issa
    Mar 18, 2024 · US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan becomes the first government official to confirm reports that Israel killed Hamas's number three ...
  48. [48]
    U.S. official confirms Israeli forces killed senior Hamas military ... - FDD
    Mar 18, 2024 · US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan confirmed on Monday an Israeli airstrike in the Nuseirat area last week killed senior Hamas military commander ...Missing: battalion Second Intifada
  49. [49]
    Hamas Sources Confirm To I24NEWS: Israel Eliminated Terrorist ...
    Jul 28, 2024 · Hamas sources told i24NEWS on Sunday that the military wing of Hamas officially confirmed that Marwan Issa, a senior terrorist commander ...Missing: death | Show results with:death
  50. [50]
    Hamas' No 3, reported dead, was 'nightmare' for Israel | Reuters
    Mar 19, 2024 · Marwan Issa, the elusive Hamas commander said by the U.S. to have been killed by Israel, had survived previous assassination attempts to ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  51. [51]
    Hamas faces leadership vacuum with demise of Gaza 'War Council'
    Jun 12, 2025 · The killing of Mohammed Sinwar marks the end of the secretive group that planned the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel ... Deif and Marwan Issa.Missing: involvement credible
  52. [52]
    Hamas confirms the death of Mohammad Deif and other senior ...
    Jan 30, 2025 · Marwan Issa (Abu al Baraa), Deif's deputy; Ghazi Abu Tamaa (Abu Mousa), commander of the arms and combat services staff; Raed Thabet (Abu ...
  53. [53]
    Israel says Hamas commander Mohammed Deif killed in July air ...
    Aug 1, 2024 · Israel's army says Hamas's top military commander, Mohammed Deif, was killed in an Israeli air raid in southern Gaza on July 13.
  54. [54]
    Who's left? Key Hamas leaders still on Israel's radar - Israel Hayom
    Mar 18, 2025 · Following the elimination of Mohammed Deif and his deputy Marwan Issa, Sinwar assumed leadership of the military wing. Now-eliminated Hamas ...
  55. [55]
    How Sinwar's Death Could Change the War | The Washington Institute
    Oct 17, 2024 · The demise of the Hamas leader and October 7 plotter could create significant diplomatic opportunities for Israel and the United States.<|separator|>
  56. [56]
    What's next for Hamas after political leader Ismail Haniyeh's ...
    Aug 1, 2024 · Israel claims it has managed to eliminate half of the leadership of Hamas's military wing, including six senior brigade commanders and more than ...
  57. [57]
  58. [58]
    Hamas command structure may remain unaffected by killing - Dawn
    Aug 1, 2024 · Israel has achieved mixed results in trying to kill the Gaza-based commanders; in March, it said it had killed Marwan Issa, the deputy military ...
  59. [59]
    Which Hezbollah and Hamas leaders have been assassinated?
    Oct 17, 2024 · Deputy Hamas military commander Marwan Issa was killed in an Israeli strike in March, the Israeli military said. He had been at the top of ...<|separator|>