Israel says it killed top Hamas commander in Gaza drone attack

By Said Amouri

JERUSALEM (AA) - The Israeli army said Thursday it killed the deputy commander of Hamas intelligence unit in the Gaza Strip.

A statement said Shadi Baroud was eliminated by the army and the Shin Bet internal security service in a drone attack.

The army said Baroud was the mastermind of the Oct. 7 cross-border attack, along with Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar.

There was no confirmation from Hamas.

Israel has launched relentless airstrikes on the Gaza Strip following the Hamas attack on Israeli territory on Oct. 7.

More than 8,400 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 7,028 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.

Gaza's 2.3 million residents have been running out of food, water, medicine, and fuel, and aid convoys allowed into Gaza have carried only a fraction of what is needed.