The al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, mourned the death of its commander, Hossam Bassam Youssef Malla, who was shot by Israeli forces in Tulkarem’s refugee camp late Wednesday.
The Israeli Security Agency, Shin Bet, claimed responsibility for the killing, identifying Malla as “a senior Hamas figure” allegedly planning attacks against Israel.
The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed Malla’s death, stating he was fatally shot by an undercover Israeli unit.
WAFA news agency quoted Faisal Salama, head of the Tulkarem Refugee Camp’s popular services committee, reporting that “the Israeli forces kills Malla at close range while he was in a nearby supermarket, shooting him multiple times.” Salama added that the Israeli special forces arrived disguised in a taxi and a truck loaded with sheep, quickly retreating following the operation.