Special to WorldTribune.com

TEL AVIV — Israel has killed Hamas’ chief weapons developer.

Military sources said Ismail Akluk was killed in an Israel Air Force strike on July 25 in the Gaza Strip.

The sources said Akluk, 25, was an Iranian-trained operative responsible for much of Hamas’ development of long-range rockets and unmanned aerial vehicles.

“He has been involved for several years in weapons research and development,” a source said.

[On July 29, Israel’s military targeted a range of Hamas homes and facilities in wake of the latest violation of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Palestinian sources said Hamas government offices and television were struck by both air and ground fire hours after 10 Israeli soldiers were killed.]

The Israel Security Agency confirmed the role of Akluk. In a statement on July 27, ISA said it provided intelligence that tracked Akluk to a vehicle that was driving through the Gaza Strip.

“This strike represents a blow to the armament program of Hamas’ military wing, particularly to advanced weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles, regarded as flagship programs that received many resources,” ISA said.

ISA said Akluk was a key figure in Hamas’ UAV program. In the current war with Israel, Hamas sent two Iranian-origin Ababil UAVs into Israel, which reached the southern city of Ashdod.

Hours earlier, the military targeted Hamas command and control facilities. The military cited the bombing of the office of Raad Thabat, identified as a leading Hamas weapons producer.

Israel’s military has been targeting leading commanders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. On July 25, the Israel Air Force killed a Jihad military commander identified as Salah Abu Hassanin, and his two sons at the entrance of their home in the southern Gaza town of Rafah.

Abu Hassanin was identified as a member of Jihad’s Supreme Military Council. The sources said Hassanin was Jihad’s chief spokesman in Rafah.

  Gaza Strip, Hamas chief weapons developer killed by Israeli air strike, Ismail Akluk, Salah Abu Hassanin