The Israeli Air Force eliminated two senior Hamas operatives in the southern Gaza Strip last week, accusing them of funneling more than half a billion Israeli shekels to the militant group's military wing in violation of the ceasefire agreement.
Targets identified as key figures in Hamas funding network
Hassan Qadara and Muhammad Para were killed in an airstrike on June 21, 2026, as confirmed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The Israeli Air Force stated that Qadara headed an infrastructure responsible for transferring funds to Hamas, while Para acted as a key courier. Both were members of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military arm.
According to an IDF statement, the two operatives worked under direct orders from Hamas leadership, overseeing a network of dozens of money changers and couriers operating in Turkey and the Gaza Strip. The funds were used to pay salaries to Hamas terrorists and finance attacks against Israeli forces and civilians.
More than half a billion shekels transferred to Hamas
The Israeli Air Force posted on X: "Assisted in transferring more than half a billion shekels to Hamas: The Air Force struck and eliminated last week the terrorists Hassan Qadara and Muhammad Para in southern Gaza Strip." The post emphasized that the operatives were part of a terrorist infrastructure designed to channel money into Gaza.
The IDF clarified that the operation was conducted under the Southern Command, which remains deployed in the area in accordance with the ceasefire agreement. The military said it would continue to operate to remove any threat.
Ceasefire violations and ongoing tensions
The airstrike came amid heightened tensions in the region. On June 20, Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least six people, including two children and an Al Jazeera cameraman, according to Palestinian health officials. The incidents have drawn international scrutiny and raised questions about adherence to the ceasefire.
Hamas has not officially commented on the killings, but the group has previously accused Israel of violating the truce. The IDF maintains that its operations are defensive and necessary to prevent militant financing and attacks.
