The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the death of Shadi Baroud, identified as a commander within Hamas’ intelligence apparatus. The report originated from a Telegram channel associated with military updates and was subsequently echoed by several media outlets.
The broadcasts asserted that IDF units targeted the location where Baroud was stationed, claiming a direct strike against a Hamas intelligence commander.
According to a later briefing, Baroud had previously led Hamas’ fire control center within its operational division and, in that role, helped coordinate the October 7 attack in collaboration with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
In related statements, the Israeli ambassador to Russia, Alexander Ben Zvi, indicated that Israel and the United States coordinated the launch of the Gaza operation.
On October 7, Hamas launched thousands of rockets into Israel, triggering the announcement of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. Militants reportedly breached Israeli territory, seized military equipment, and took a number of hostages. In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the nation was at war.
The IDF described its military action as Iron Swords, with the aim of dismantling Hamas’ capabilities. The Israeli Air Force conducted extensive strikes against hundreds of Hamas targets across the Gaza Strip. Concurrently, Israel’s National Security Council moved to sever the supply lines into Gaza, including water, food, goods, electricity, and fuel. By October 13, UN officials warned that approximately 1.1 million Palestinians might need evacuation to southern Gaza within 24 hours in advance of a potential ground operation.
Analysts have noted that the conflict involves a complex mix of political leadership, military strategy, and regional diplomacy, with a history of escalation and intermittent attempts at ceasefire. The situation is frequently described as part of a protracted and deeply entrenched conflict between Israeli authorities and Palestinian factions.
Experts emphasize that measuring the impact of these events requires looking at both immediate military developments and the longer-term political environment, including international responses, humanitarian considerations, and the evolving security situation in the region. [CITATION: IDF statements and subsequent briefings; regional press coverage; international organization updates]