Reports: Israeli military preparing to assassinate Gaza leaders

Jerusalem – Ma’an – Assassinating Hamas leaders is one option being explored as Israeli troops prepare for the end of the ceasefire, according to a Thursday report in the Israeli daily paper Maariv.

The paper quoted military sources as saying Arab countries advised Israel to assassinate major Hamas leaders if they reject the truce.

The story appeared on page two of the Hebrew paper and claims un-named Arab states have given Israel the ‘green-light’ to use extra-judicial means to ensure the disappearance of Hamas leaders in case the party refuses to extend the truce.

The article, by Israeli journalists Ben Kesbit and Amir Raybot, claimed that Arab heads of state sent secret letters to the Israeli government. They hinted that the assassination planning was a major factor regarding why no major military action has been undertaken so far.

Those listed as candidates for assassination are:

De facto Prime Minister in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh
De facto Minister of the Interior Sai’d Siyam
De facto Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahmoud Az-Zahhar
Head of the military wing of Hamas in the Gaza Strip (The Al-Qassam Brigades) Ahmad Aj-Ja’bary
Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and leader of the Popular Committee against the Siege in Gaza Dr Jamal Al-Khudari
Secondary leaders in the Al-Qassam Brigades Ibrahim Ghandur and Muhammad Deif, who have both survived several assassination attempts, were also on the list.

The Egyptian-brokered ceasefire is set to end on Friday.
Ma'an news