JERUSALEM/GAZA, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli military said Wednesday that Ahmad Hasan, identified as "head of the sniper array in the Hamas Beit Hanoun Battalion," has been killed in a strike in Gaza.
It said in a statement that Hasan had been taking part in planning attacks against Israeli troops in northern Gaza, without specifying the time or location of the strike.
Separately, Hamas said Tuesday that the mission of any foreign force entering Gaza should be strictly limited to peacekeeping.
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told reporters in Gaza that such forces must focus on separating "Israeli occupation forces" from Palestinians, monitoring the latest ceasefire, and refraining from interfering in internal affairs.
He said Hamas has conveyed its position to the mediators of the ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Qassem welcomed Indonesia's planned troop deployment to help maintain stability in Gaza.
On Monday, Israeli state-owned Kan TV News reported that preparations are underway to receive an 8,000-strong Indonesian force, to be deployed between Rafah and Khan Younis in southern Gaza. It said Indonesia would be the first foreign country to send troops to the enclave.
According to the report, the deployment site has been prepared, though the completion of accommodation and residential facilities is expected to take several weeks.
The Palestinian death toll in Gaza has risen to 72,045, with 171,686 others wounded since the conflict erupted on Oct. 7, 2023, Gaza-based health authorities said Wednesday. ■
