Hamas has confirmed the death of a senior security official following what it said was an Israeli strike targeting a vehicle in the central Gaza Strip.
According to a report by The Times of Israel published on July 26, 2026, Hamas’ Interior Ministry announced that Wael al-Ladawi, the head of the Internal Security Service in central Gaza, was killed in the attack.
The strike reportedly occurred in Deir al-Balah, a city in the central Gaza Strip, where the targeted vehicle was hit.
In its statement, the Interior Ministry said al-Ladawi headed the Internal Security Service in the central governorate, one of the principal security agencies operating under Hamas’ administration in Gaza.
The ministry said al-Ladawi held a rank equivalent to that of a colonel within the organization’s security structure.
Hamas also confirmed that another security official, Tawfiq Abu Zureiq, was killed in the same strike.
According to the statement, Abu Zureiq held the rank of major and was serving within the same security apparatus.
The Interior Ministry said the incident occurred approximately 30 minutes before it released its official statement, underscoring the speed with which developments were unfolding.
The announcement represents a rare public acknowledgment by Hamas of the deaths of senior members of its internal security establishment during the ongoing conflict.
Neither the Hamas statement nor the report provided additional details about the specific circumstances leading to the strike or the operational roles being carried out by the two officials at the time of the attack.
As of the time of the report, Israeli authorities had not publicly commented on the specific strike or confirmed responsibility for the operation.
The reported deaths come amid continued military operations across the Gaza Strip, where Israeli forces have carried out strikes against individuals and infrastructure they identify as being linked to Hamas and other armed groups.
Targeted operations against senior security and military figures have remained a prominent feature of the conflict, with both sides continuing to report developments as fighting persists.
The latest incident highlights the ongoing intensity of military activity in central Gaza, particularly in Deir al-Balah, which has witnessed repeated operations during the conflict.
The deaths of al-Ladawi and Abu Zureiq, if confirmed by all parties, would represent another blow to Hamas’ internal security structure as hostilities continue.
The broader conflict has resulted in sustained military operations, repeated exchanges of attacks and an evolving security situation across the Gaza Strip.
Further details surrounding the strike and its operational impact are expected to emerge as information becomes available from the parties involved.
