TEL AVIV, March 24. /TASS/. The Israeli military has eliminated Ismail Barhoum, Hamas's chief financier in the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.

According to the army’s statement, on March 23, "the IDF and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) conducted a targeted strike in the area of Khan Yunis, eliminating the terrorist Ismail Barhoum, head of Hamas' finances and institutions in the terrorist organization's political bureau, and the successor to Essam al-Da'alis, former head of the Hamas Government who was eliminated last week."

The IDF added that "Barhoum was a key figure in Hamas' political bureau and was actively involved in the military decision-making process that directly impacted Hamas' operations." He "oversaw Hamas' financial management in the Gaza Strip, channeling funds to Hamas' military wing, financing and planning the execution of terror attacks against the State of Israel."

"Barhoum was eliminated while he was operating within the Nasser Hospital, while cynically endangering the civilian population in the area," the IDF added.

According to the military, "the IDF and ISA will continue to operate against the Hamas terrorist organization and to remove any threat to Israeli civilians."