Israeli attempt to kill Hamas leader Ali al-Amoudi in Gaza appears to have failed
An Israeli attempt to assassinate senior Hamas figure Ali al-Amoudi in an overnight airstrike on Gaza City likely failed, Israeli Army Radio reported on Saturday evening, hours after the attack killed five Palestinians, including four women.
“Assessments are leaning toward the failure of the attempt to assassinate Ali al-Amoudi, a prominent leader in Hamas’ political wing in Gaza, last night,” the radio station said. Israel’s Channel 12 said it was too early for a definitive conclusion but that Israel was struggling to confirm whether the attempt had succeeded.
Israeli public broadcaster KAN had reported earlier on Saturday that the army tried to kill al-Amoudi in a strike that ran overnight from Friday into Saturday.
Who is Ali al-Amoudi
KAN described al-Amoudi as Hamas’ de facto leader in Gaza and a leading candidate to formally head the movement in the territory in expected internal elections.
Hamas sources told Anadolu that al-Amoudi led the movement’s media department and sat on its political bureau before the war began on October 8, 2023. After Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and his deputy Rawhi Mushtaha were killed in 2024, al-Amoudi became deputy to Khalil al-Hayya, who was heading the movement in Gaza.
When al-Hayya was elected head of Hamas’ political bureau in July 2026, al-Amoudi took over running the movement in Gaza as acting leader, pending the election of a successor.
Five killed in western Gaza City strike
The strike hit a residential apartment in western Gaza City early on Saturday. Five Palestinians were killed and six others injured, according to a medical source.
The source identified those killed as Maysa Abu Daoud, 55, her daughter Maria Abu Daoud, 36, Yasmin al-Boubou, 48, Halloum al-Boubou, 23, and Bilal Ali Ouda, 20. Two of the women were Christians.
Reports from Gaza said al-Amoudi’s name did not appear on the list of fatalities, leaving his fate unclear.
Gaza ceasefire under strain
The strike came amid continued Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement in effect since October 10, 2025. Gaza’s Health Ministry said Israeli violations had killed 1,439 Palestinians and injured 5,052 others as of Thursday.
According to Palestinian figures, Israel has killed more than 74,000 Palestinians and injured over 175,000 in Gaza since October 8, 2023, while around 90 percent of the territory’s infrastructure has been destroyed.
Targeted assassinations of Hamas political figures during a nominal ceasefire raise the risk of escalation. If Israel confirms the attempt failed, it faces pressure over a strike that killed civilians without hitting its intended target. If al-Amoudi is later confirmed dead, the killing of the movement’s acting leader in Gaza would reshape Hamas’ leadership at a sensitive moment.
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Frequently asked questions
What happened in the Gaza City strike?
Early on Saturday, an Israeli airstrike hit a residential apartment in western Gaza City. Five Palestinians were killed and six injured. Israeli media said the strike targeted Hamas leader Ali al-Amoudi and that the assassination attempt likely failed.
Who is Ali al-Amoudi?
He is the acting leader of Hamas in Gaza, a member of its political bureau who formerly headed its media department. He took over running the movement in Gaza after Khalil al-Hayya became head of Hamas’ political bureau in July 2026.
Is there a ceasefire in Gaza?
A ceasefire agreement has been in effect since October 10, 2025. Gaza’s Health Ministry says Israeli violations of the deal have killed 1,439 Palestinians and injured 5,052 others.
Why does this strike matter?
Targeted killings of political leaders during a ceasefire risk a wider escalation. A failed attempt that kills civilians also raises questions about the intelligence and proportionality of the operation.
