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Israel has confirmed the capture of Muein al-Arabid, the head of Hamas’s internal security apparatus, following a joint operation by the Israel Defense Forces and the Shin Bet security service in Gaza City on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the mission a “daring operation,” saying al-Arabid was “one of the most senior Hamas leaders” and was directly “responsible for concealing and transporting our hostages, for sheltering senior Hamas figures, and for military build-up and attempts to restore the capabilities of the terror organisation.”
According to Israeli officials, Shin Bet special forces entered a structure in the Gaza City area, apprehended al-Arabid near his home, and transported him to Israel for interrogation. The Israeli Air Force struck several targets in the area during the operation to neutralize threats to the forces. No IDF injuries were reported.
The capture of an internal security chief is especially significant. Such figures are not field commanders — they are the machinery that keeps Hamas’s intelligence networks, internal discipline, and intimidation apparatus intact. Capturing al-Arabid alive could expose safe houses, tunnel routes, collaborator networks, and the group’s efforts to reassert control over the Gazan population.
Netanyahu emphasized that al-Arabid had been involved in efforts to restore Hamas governance in Gaza and had been deceiving regarding the disarming of Hamas in the Strip — attempting to re-arm in secret and re-establish terrorism from Gaza.
Hamas condemned the operation as a “grave crime” and a violation of the ceasefire, calling the raid “a serious crime and a blatant disregard for human life in a crowded area.” Palestinian medics said several people were killed by Israeli fire during the operation.
The raid may have involved elements inside Gaza opposed to Hamas — a scenario that represents one of Hamas’s deepest strategic fears: not just Israeli military penetration, but the collapse from within of the territory Hamas rules by terror.
Israel has repeatedly stated it will not allow Hamas to rebuild its armed forces and governing capacity following the October 7, 2023 massacre, in which approximately 1,200 Israelis were killed and 251 taken hostage.
Al-Arabid was taken alive — one of Israel’s most significant intelligence captures in Gaza in recent months. His interrogation is expected to yield crucial information regarding Hamas’s command structure as Israel continues to dismantle what remains of the organization.
For Hamas, this is more than a loss of assets. It is a warning that the security fences surrounding its internal apparatus are cracking — and that Israel is operating with increasing precision and reach inside territory Hamas once considered its own.
