The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) claimed on Thursday (Oct 24) that it has killed a Hamas Commander who took part in the October 7 strike on southern Israel. The commander, Mohammad Abu Itiwi, was also a staff member of the UN aid agency in the Gaza Strip.
IDF alleged that Itiwi was working with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) since July 2022.
While announcing his killing, the IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari alleged Itiwi, killed on Wednesday (Oct 23), was involved in the abduction and murder of Israeli civilians.
UNRWA did not explain the Israeli allegation of Itiwi being its staff member. The agency, however, announced on Wednesday (Oct 23) that one of its staff members was killed in an Israeli airstrike in central Gaza.
A ceasefire deal to be on the table?
IDF’s statement comes at a time when the US and Israeli negotiators are expected to gather in Doha to restart talks toward a deal for a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza.
Qatar and Egypt have acted as mediators between Israel and Hamas in months of talks that broke down in August without an agreement to end fighting that began when the Palestinian militant group launched attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
David Barnea, the head of its Mossad intelligence agency, would also travel to Doha on Sunday (Oct 27).
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that CIA Director William Burns would attend the talks.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken travelled to the Middle East this week hoping to revive the talks following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who Washington says was the main obstacle to a deal.
(With inputs from agencies)