The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it has killed Bashar Thabet, a Hamas commander involved in the group’s Development and Projects Department. This group is part of Hamas’ weapons production headquarters. He was reportedly in charge of research and development within Hamas’ weapons manufacturing operations.
In a post on X, the IDF stated that it had located and dismantled terrorist infrastructure, eliminated terrorists, and destroyed tunnel shafts. Additionally, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) conducted airstrikes on around 75 terror targets, including military compounds and other terrorist infrastructure.
“Operational Update: IDF Activity in Gaza- Eliminated: Bashar Thabet, a commander in Hamas’ Development and Projects Department within its weapons production HQ. He was responsible for research & development within Hamas’ weapons manufacturing apparatus, which operates to restore and increase their weapons stockpile,” wrote the IDF on X.
“IDF troops located & dismantled terrorist infrastructure, terrorists and tunnel shafts. The IAF targeted terrorist cells that were about to attack IDF troops and struck approx. 75 terror targets, including terrorists military compounds and additional terrorist infrastructure,” the statement added.
Hamas’ Daraj Tuffah Commander Eliminated
Earlier on Friday, July 18, the IDF eliminated Muhammad Uthayn, Commander of Hamas’ Daraj Tuffah Battalion. He was killed by the IDF and Israel Security Agency (ISA) in the Daraj Tuffah area. Muhammad had reportedly infiltrated Israel during the October 7 massacre and carried out numerous terror attacks against IDF troops throughout the war.
The IDF considered his elimination significant in further weakening the battalion’s operations in the area.
“His elimination further degrades the battalion’s operations in the area and will diminish its ability to execute terror attacks against IDF troops operating in the area,” wrote the IDF on X.
Meanwhile, protesters took to the streets in Israel and outside the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv on Sunday, urging US President Donald Trump to help broker a comprehensive deal for the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
Protesters displayed banners urging Trump to strike another “big, beautiful deal.” Notably, Trump had earlier announced that another 10 hostages held in Gaza would be released “very shortly,” amid ceasefire negotiations in Doha between Israeli and Hamas delegations.
“We got most of the hostages back. We’re going to have another 10 coming very shortly, and we hope to have that finished quickly,” Trump stated during a dinner with lawmakers at the White House on Friday.
