Israeli forces kill Hamas commander Qais Bitawi in Jenin airstrike as strikes also claim three lives in Gaza

Israeli forces eliminated Qais Bitawi, a Hamas operative of senior rank, in a joint IDF and Shin Bet strike on his vehicle in Jenin, along with two of his associates. Bitawi had planned, funded and carried out terror attacks against Israeli civilians and maintained ties with Hamas in Gaza and abroad. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly commended the forces involved, while Defence Minister Israel Katz noted an 80% reduction in terror acts since the West Bank offensive began.

Bitawi was a relative of Noor Bitawi, who commanded the Jenin terror network dismantled during 'Operation Iron Wall' in May 2025.

Separately in Gaza, Israeli strikes killed three Palestinians on Saturday, including a farmer killed by tank fire in Deir al-Balah and two struck in Gaza City.

Israel's military said it had targeted a Hamas commander 'hiding' inside the Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital compound, wounding three, after warning that medical facilities must not be used for 'terrorist purposes'.