TEL-AVIV, November 1. /TASS/. A spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that his country had conducted an operation to kill a HAMAS commander in the Gaza Strip’s district of Jabalaya, but did not confirm numerous civilian casualties in the Jabalya refugee camp.

"I can understand that there are reports of civilian casualties. They are still unconfirmed. We do not know yet from a verifiable source how many noncombatants have been killed," Jonathan Conricus said in a video address, posted on the IDF account on the X social network (formerly known as Twitter).

In his words, the primary target of the Israeli strike was an underground facility where a senior HAMAS commander, Ibrahim Biari, was taking shelter. According to Conricus, Biari had a major role in the planning and executing of the October 7 HAMAS raid on the territory of Israel. The IDF press service confirmed his death on Tuesday evening.

"We can confirm that he has been killed, and, along with him, dozens - still unconfirmed number - dozens of HAMAS combatants who were hiding in the vast tunnel complex that was underneath the Jabaliya area," the spokesman added.

He claimed that IDF is taking "every precaution" to minimize civilian casualties and collateral damage.