TEL AVIV, October 26. /TASS/. Israeli security forces have killed Shadi Barud, a senior Hamas intelligence official, according to a joint statement by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Securities Authority (ISA).

"The IDF and ISA killed the Deputy Head of Hamas’ Intelligence Directorate, who was responsible for planning the October 7 massacre together with Yahya Sinwar (Hamas’s leader in Gaza - TASS). Based on precise IDF and ISA intelligence, IDF fighter jets struck the Deputy Head of the Hamas’ Intelligence Directorate, Shadi Barud," the statement reads.

"Barud had previously served as Hamas' battalion commander in Khan Yunis and was responsible for planning numerous terror attacks against Israeli civilians. Following this, Barud held several positions in Hamas' military intelligence, and was responsible for information security," the statement added.

Tensions in the Middle East flared up again after Hamas militants infiltrated Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7. The Palestinian movement described its attack as a response to the actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Jerusalem's Temple Mount. Israel announced a total blockade of Gaza and started carrying out strikes on the Palestinian enclave, as well as on certain areas in Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also taking place in the West Bank.