The military announced this on Friday. He was killed in an air strike in Khan Younis. The radical Islamic Palestinian group confirmed Kassab’s death in a statement.
Israel attacked his car. Hamas insiders told Reuters that he was a representative of a group in the Gaza Strip, but not a decision-maker in the political office.
The army released an aerial video purporting to show the rocket attack on the Hamas official’s vehicle. An employee of Kassab was also killed. Hamas confirmed the death of the second man.
Hardly any contact person left
Since the beginning of the Gaza war, which was triggered by the Hamas massacre in Israel on October 7, 2023 with 1,200 dead and 250 abducted, Israel has killed almost the entire leadership of the Islamist organization, including Hamas boss Yahya Sinwar.
This could make efforts to reach a ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages more difficult because there are hardly any contacts left with whom this could be agreed.
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**Interview with Dr. Sara Elbaz, Middle East Political Analyst**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Dr. Elbaz. On Friday, the military announced the killing of a Hamas official, Kassab, which marks yet another significant event in the ongoing Gaza conflict. Can you give us some context about this incident?
**Dr. Elbaz:** Thank you for having me. The killing of Kassab during an airstrike in Khan Younis is part of a broader campaign by Israel to dismantle Hamas leadership following the tragic events of October 7, 2023. This airstrike, as confirmed by Hamas, signifies how deep the conflict has escalated, with Israel systematically targeting high-ranking officials to disrupt the organization’s structure.
**Interviewer:** The military released an aerial video purporting to show the attack. What impact do you think this type of evidence has on public perception and international response?
**Dr. Elbaz:** Such videos can significantly sway public opinion and serve as a justification for military actions taken by Israel. They aim to demonstrate precision in targeting and accountability to the international community. However, they can also raise ethical questions about collateral damage, particularly when civilians are harmed, as was the case with Kassab’s employee who was killed as well.
**Interviewer:** With the leadership of Hamas significantly diminished, what does this mean for a potential ceasefire and hostage negotiations?
**Dr. Elbaz:** The loss of key leaders complicates the situation immensely. With fewer contacts left, the channels for negotiation have been severely impacted. This could lead to increased tensions and prolong the violence, as Hamas may find it challenging to reach a unified stance or coordinate a response effectively.
**Interviewer:** Given the ongoing violence and deep-seated issues, what do you foresee in the coming weeks for the region?
**Dr. Elbaz:** The situation remains fluid, and while there may be calls for a ceasefire, the diminishing leadership within Hamas may lead to a cycle of retaliatory actions rather than a pathway to peace. We might see increased alienation on both sides, and the humanitarian situation in Gaza will likely worsen if hostilities continue.
**Interviewer:** Thank you very much for your insights, Dr. Elbaz. It’s a complex situation that we’ll continue to monitor closely.
**Dr. Elbaz:** Thank you for having me.
