Head of Hamas' aerial force killed in overnight airstrikes: IDF

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has said that the head of Hamas’ aerial array Issam Abu Rukbeh was killed in an overnight airstrike. Rukbeh was involved in directing terrorists to enter Israel on paragliders on October 7. The military says that Rukbeh played a role in the planning and execution of Hamas’ October 7 onslaught against Israel.

IDF says it eliminated the head of Hamas's aerial array, Issam Abu Rukbeh, in an overnight airstrike in the Gaza Strip. According to the IDF, Abu Rukbeh was responsible for Hamas's UAVs, drones, paragliders, and air defenses. pic.twitter.com/hfAizPoasx

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) October 28, 2023

IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari Friday said that the military has “ramped up airstrikes in the Gaza Strip in the last few hours and will continue to carry out ground operations,” adding that Israel will ‘expand’ its activities. Hamas said on Saturday its militants in Gaza were ready to confront Israeli attacks with “full force” after Israel’s military widened its air and ground attacks on the Palestinian enclave. The IDF also said that over 150 underground sites of Hamas have been hit in the overnight airstrikes carried out by Israel. Currently, IDF infantry, tanks and combat engineering forces are inside the Gaza Strip as Israel’s “expanded ground activities” continue in the region. The largest telecommunications provider in Gaza says that the Strip is currently ‘blacked out’ as strikes from Israel hit internet and phone services in the region. “We regret to announce a complete disruption of all communication and internet services with the Gaza Strip in light of the ongoing aggression,” the Palestine Telecommunications Company, known as Paltel.