Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on local time Sept. 1 that a Hamas commander captured alive in Gaza City is the top head of Hamas's internal security apparatus, which managed Israeli hostages who were abducted during the Oct. 7, 2023, surprise attack.

In a statement released that day, Prime Minister Netanyahu said, "I commend the Shin Bet and the Israel Defense Forces for successfully executing a bold operation to capture the head of Hamas's internal security near his home in the Gaza Strip."

Previously, the Israeli military announced that it had arrested a Hamas commander named Moein Al-Arabid.

Prime Minister Netanyahu explained, "Al-Arabid is one of the highest-ranking leaders of Hamas. He is a figure who oversaw not only the concealing and moving of our hostages, but also the hiding of senior Hamas officials, the enhancement of power, and attempts to restore the terror organization's capabilities."

He added, "Al-Arabid was recently involved in efforts to restore Hamas's governance in the Gaza Strip, engaged in deceptive tactics regarding the demilitarization of Gaza, and supported the execution of terrorist attacks targeting our military and civilians."

Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized, "Israel will hunt down all of Hamas's leadership and everyone who participated in the Oct. 7 massacre to the end."

(Photo: Capture from social media, Yonhap News)