Fifth commander of Hamas’ Shejaiya Battalion killed since war began

The IDF said al-‘Ajlah became Shejaiya battalion commander less than a week ago, replacing Haitham Sheikh Khalil, killed by Israeli forces April 9.

By Ehud Amiton, TPS

Israel confirmed on Tuesday the death of Hamas commander Muhammad al-‘Ajlah, who was eliminated in an airstrike in the northern Gaza area of Shejaiya on Sunday. Al-‘Ajlah is fifth commander of the terror group’s Shejaiya battalion killed since the October 7 attacks.

The Israel Defense Forces said al-‘Ajlah became the Shejaiya battalion’s commander less than one week ago last week, succeeding Haitham Sheikh Khalil, who Israeli forces killed on April 9.

“Throughout the war, the terrorist al-‘Ajlah served as the commander of a combat support company in the Shejaiya battalion. He was responsible for arming the battalion’s terrorists with weapons used to carry out terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops,” the IDF said.

“Al-‘Ajlah was the fifth commander of Hamas’ Shejaiya battalion to be eliminated since the beginning of the war, and the third since the start of the renewed operations in Gaza,” the military added.

The IDF was referring to Jamil al-Wadidya, who was killed on March 18 after the collapse of a temporary ceasefire. Two other Shejaiya battalion commanders, Imad Qreiqa and Wissam Farhat, were killed in separate strikes in December 2023.

At least 1,180 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 59 remaining hostages, 36 are believed to be dead.