Israel’s Shin Bet security service tracked Muin al-Arabid over an extended period, mapped his daily routine and identified the points he regularly passed through before special forces moved in near his Gaza City home, shot and wounded him and took him into custody.
According to Israeli officials, the operation was prepared around a vulnerability identified in al-Arabid’s routine. Once conditions were deemed favorable, Shin Bet forces moved as he approached his home and carried out the arrest.
Al Jazeera footage: Hamas senior figure Muin al-Arabid captured in heart of Gaza City
Al Jazeera later released footage from the operation showing armed members of the force firing from a white van.
The operation lasted several hours under the IDF Southern Command. Israeli Air Force strikes were carried out in the surrounding area to remove potential threats and prevent hostile forces from reaching the scene. Israeli officials said the force was not exposed during the operation and returned without casualties.
Al-Arabid, whom Israel identifies as the head of Hamas’ internal security apparatus across the Gaza Strip, was brought wounded to Israel for further questioning.
The disclosure that Shin Bet special forces carried out the capture contradicted earlier reports that armed local militias backed by Israel had conducted the operation.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described al-Arabid as one of Hamas’ most senior figures and said he had been responsible for concealing and moving Israeli hostages, hiding senior Hamas leaders and helping build up and restore the terrorist organization’s capabilities.
Netanyahu also said al-Arabid had recently been involved in efforts to restore Hamas governance in Gaza, deceive over the disarmament of the Strip and assist attacks against Israeli troops and civilians.
Hamas’ internal security apparatus is responsible in part for counterespionage and for identifying Palestinians suspected of collaborating with Israel.
Palestinian reports claimed the Israeli force operating in Gaza City had been exposed during the raid. Israeli officials rejected that account, saying the force completed the mission without being detected and returned safely.
A Palestinian security source quoted by Qatar-based Al Jazeera disputed Israel’s description of al-Arabid’s seniority, claiming he was a more junior officer. The source also alleged that his wife was killed when the IDF struck his home.
(Photo: AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
In a joint statement, the IDF and Shin Bet said the operation was led by the Shin Bet and Southern Command and that Shin Bet special forces raided a building in the Gaza City area and arrested the man Israel identifies as Hamas’ internal security chief for the entire Strip.
The agencies said the Air Force struck several military targets during the operation to remove threats to the forces. No Israeli personnel were wounded.
According to the statement, al-Arabid had recently been working to strengthen Hamas’ control in northern Gaza and advance plans for attacks against IDF forces operating near the Yellow Line.
The IDF and Shin Bet said the mission was intended to remove threats, weaken Hamas’ control in the area and disrupt planned attacks against Israeli troops and civilians. They said Southern Command forces remain deployed in accordance with the agreement and will continue acting against threats.
Separately, the IDF said it killed the commander of Hamas’ military wing in the Jabaliya area of northern Gaza. The military said the terrorist had been advancing attack plans in violation of the ceasefire.
First published: 19:02, 09.01.26