The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it has killed Muhammad Katrouy, commander of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s (PIJ) Central Camps Brigade, in an airstrike in central Gaza.
According to a statement from the IDF on Saturday, Katrouy was killed on Thursday during a joint operation with Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service, Xinhua news agency reported.
The IDF stated that Katrouy had coordinated rocket attacks from central Gaza towards Israel and was involved in planning various assaults against Israeli forces. He previously held several roles within the PIJ, including deputy brigade commander and intelligence officer, the statement added.
The PIJ has not yet responded to Israel’s claims.
Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, following a surprise attack by Hamas on southern Israel that resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths.
Gaza-based health authorities reported on Saturday that the Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks has reached 40,691.