DEIR AL-BALAH (VINnews)-The Israel Defense Forces and Israel Security Agency eliminated the head of Hamas’ internal security apparatus in the central Gaza Strip on Sunday, the military said in a joint statement Monday.

Wael Musa Khaled Ladawi was killed in a strike in the Deir al-Balah area. According to the IDF and ISA, Ladawi led a central and clandestine Hamas body that gathered intelligence for senior Hamas officials, supported their decision-making, and helped plan and carry out attacks against Israel.

Before the strike, the military said, steps were taken to reduce the risk of civilian harm, including the use of precise munitions and aerial surveillance.

IDF troops under the Southern Command remain deployed in the area in line with the ceasefire agreement and will continue operating to eliminate threats, the statement said.