An Israeli drone attempted to assassinate Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem in Gaza City, killing one Palestinian and wounding several others.
Key Developments
- An Israeli drone reportedly attempted to assassinate Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem in Gaza City.
- The strike killed Muhammad Mahmoud al-Fayoumi and wounded several other Palestinians.
- Israeli attacks continued elsewhere in Gaza, with additional fatalities reported in Khan Yunis and Deir al-Balah.
Israeli Drone Targets Vehicle in Gaza City
Israeli occupation forces carried out a failed assassination attempt against Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem on Thursday afternoon, targeting a vehicle near the Abbas intersection in Gaza City, Quds News Network reported.
According to QNN, an Israeli drone fired a missile at the vehicle in an attempt to kill Qassem.
The attack killed Muhammad Mahmoud al-Fayoumi, while several other Palestinians were wounded. Medical sources later confirmed that al-Fayoumi succumbed to injuries sustained in the strike.
Palestinian sources confirmed that Qassem survived the attack.
Videos circulating from the scene showed the moment the vehicle was struck, followed by footage of residents and ambulance crews rushing to evacuate the wounded and provide first aid.
🚨 Israeli media reports that Hazem Qassem, Hamas’s chief political spokesperson in Gaza, survived an apparent Israeli assassination attempt on Thursday.
According to Israel’s Channel 14, an airstrike targeted the vehicle Qassem was traveling in. Palestinian reports say his… pic.twitter.com/aXUwPRAeNg
— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) July 9, 2026
Israeli Attacks Continue across Gaza
The strike came amid continued Israeli military operations across the Gaza Strip despite the ceasefire agreement.
Israeli air and drone attacks were reported in several areas of the enclave on Thursday.
In southern Gaza, Israeli quadcopter drones dropped explosives near the Bani Suheila roundabout east of Khan Yunis.
Meanwhile, in central Gaza, the child Muhammad Abu Khamash was killed by Israeli forces east of Deir al-Balah.
Palestinian sources said at least five Palestinians had been killed by Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip since dawn on Thursday.
The latest strike in Gaza City forms part of a continuing series of Israeli raids targeting multiple areas of the enclave, as military operations and bombardment persist despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
Several hours before being targeted by the occupation military today and sustaining what are being described as “serious injuries,” Hamas political spokesman in Gaza Hazem Qassem published a perspicacious reflection on the history of political representation in Gaza and an… pic.twitter.com/Ot3EwEHXCv
— Mujamma Haraket (@MujammaHaraket) July 9, 2026
Who is Hazem Qassem?
Hazem Qassem is one of Hamas’ most senior and recognizable political spokesmen, regularly representing the movement in interviews with Arabic and international media.
Based in the Gaza Strip, he has long served as an official voice for Hamas, commenting on Israeli military operations, ceasefire negotiations, prisoner exchange talks, and broader Palestinian political developments.
Since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023, Qassem has become one of the movement’s principal public representatives, frequently issuing official statements on Hamas’ positions and responding to Israeli government and military announcements.
He has also played a prominent role in communicating the movement’s stance during indirect negotiations mediated by Egypt and Qatar.
(PC, QNN)
