Israel Says Hamas Finance Chief Muhammad Abu Alwan Killed In Khan Younis Strike

Israel says its forces have killed Muhammad Abu Alwan, whom it identified as the head of Hamas' finance department, in a targeted operation in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis.

In a joint statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the operation was carried out jointly by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and the Israeli Security Agency (ISA).

"A short while ago in Khan Younis, the IDF eliminated Hamas terrorist organisation finance department head Muhammad Abu Alwan," the statement read.

"The Prime Minister and Defense Minister commend the IDF and the ISA for this precise operation and for their aggressive action to thwart our enemies," it added.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Joint Statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz:<br>A short while ago in Khan Younis, the IDF eliminated Hamas terrorist organization finance department head Muhammad Abu Alwan.<br><br>The Prime Minister and Defense Minister commend the IDF and the…</p>&mdash; Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) <a href="https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/2102688382941847579?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Netanyahu and Katz said Israel would continue targeting Hamas' leadership and financial networks, vowing to maintain operations until the group "no longer exists in Gaza."

"We will continue to hunt down Hamas commanders and operatives, target its sources of funding, and destroy its terrorist infrastructure," Netanyahu and Katz said.

"We will not allow Hamas to rebuild its strength, nor will we stop until Hamas no longer exists in Gaza."

The reported killing of Abu Alwan comes amid Israel's continued focus on Hamas' financial infrastructure in Gaza.

Israel's Warning Over Drones, Balloons And Kites

Earlier last month, Netanyahu warned that Israel would intensify targeted strikes against those responsible for launching drones, balloons and kites from Gaza if the launches did not stop.

According to a post on the Israeli Prime Minister's official X account, Netanyahu and Katz held "a situational assessment this evening regarding the threat of drones, balloons and kites launched from the Gaza Strip toward Israel."

The meeting was attended by IDF Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the Head of the National Security Council and senior IDF officials.

Israel warned Hamas that "if the launches toward Israel do not cease immediately, the IDF will act to increase targeted strikes against those responsible for the launches and will evacuate the population from areas used as launch sites for kites, drones, and balloons."

Netanyahu also said that "there will be no return to the state of affairs prior to October 7. Israel will not allow the Hamas terrorist organization or any other element in the Gaza Strip to threaten our communities again and compromise our citizens' sense of security."

Hamas Rejects Israel's Claims

Hamas, meanwhile, accused Israel of using the issue of kites flown by Palestinian children as a pretext to escalate attacks on Gaza, according to Al Jazeera.

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said the Israeli move was "threatening children" and called on the United States, mediating and guarantor states, and the UN Security Council to pressure Israel to halt what he described as an escalation in Gaza.

Qassem also said the move was an attempt to undermine a ceasefire to which the Palestinian side remained "fully committed."

The latest developments come as Israel says it is continuing operations targeting Hamas commanders, operatives and financial networks in Gaza, while Hamas has rejected Israel's stated justification for the escalation.