Hamas Reports the Death of Four Commanders

On Sunday, December 5, Hamas announced the death of Ahmad al-Ghandour, the group's commander in northern Gaza and a member of its military council. According to the Associated Press, al-Ghandour is the highest-ranking Hamas militant killed during the ongoing war, and Hamas has not provided further details on how he was killed. The United States, the European Union, and Japan have designated the Iran-backed militant group Hamas as a terrorist organization. According to the Washington-based group 'Counter Extremism Project,' al-Ghandour, who is likely 56 years old, had previously survived at least three Israeli attacks. He was one of the planners of Hamas's cross-border attack on Israel in 2006, during which an Israeli soldier was captured. Hamas has stated that al-Ghandour, along with three other senior militants including Ayman Sayam, the head of the group's rocket-launching unit, was killed. The Israeli army mentioned both individuals in a statement on November 25, stating that an underground complex housing Hamas leaders was targeted and that the group is concealing the deaths of these individuals. The Israeli army claims to have killed thousands of militants, including high-ranking commanders, during the ongoing war. Israel received the third list of hostages for release; on the second day of exchanges, 17 Hamas hostages and 39 Palestinian prisoners were freed. A temporary ceasefire continues in Gaza; the second group of hostages is being released. Biden stated that efforts to free all hostages will continue. Israel received the names of the second group of hostages for release. An analytical report discusses the Gaza war and the increased risk of 'lone wolf' attacks in Europe.