Hamas officially confirms IDF elimination of Tulkarm leader

Following the IDF statement regarding the elimination of Ashraf Nafeh, leader of Hamas in the Tulkarm area, Israel Hayom reports that Hamas has officially confirmed Nafeh's death.

Palestinian media had previously reported that the IDF killed the commander of the military wing of Hamas in Tulkarem, Ashraf Nafe, as well as the commander of the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, Muhammad Abu Abdo, in a drone attack.

The IDF stated that "an aircraft attacked armed terrorists during an operation in Tulkarm in the Menashe Brigade. IDF forces conduct exchanges of fire in the area."

IDF forces, combined with intelligence units, followed the terrorists for some time until they came out of their hiding place - and then the signal was given to attack.

This is the first airstrike in the Central Command since the new general, Avi Balut, took office. Last May, the IDF attacked Ashraf's house - but he was not there at the time, and was not injured.