In a significant development, Hassan Aslih—a Gaza-based photojournalist with documented ties to Hamas—was killed overnight in an Israeli airstrike targeting a Hamas compound in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the strike, identifying Aslih as a member of Hamas's Khan Yunis Brigade who actively participated in the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks on Israel.
Aslih, also known as Hassan Eslaiah, gained notoriety for infiltrating Israeli territory during the October 7 massacre, where he documented and disseminated images of burning Israeli tanks and other atrocities committed by Hamas militants. These images were later used as propaganda by Hamas. A particularly controversial photograph showed Aslih receiving a kiss on the cheek from Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, further fueling suspicions about his close ties to the terrorist organization.
Following these revelations, major news organizations, including CNN and the Associated Press, severed ties with Aslih. CNN stated that while they had no immediate reason to doubt the fairness of his work, they decided to suspend all contact with him.
Aslih had previously survived an Israeli airstrike in April 2025 that targeted a tent used by journalists in the courtyard of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. The IDF stated that the strike was aimed at eliminating key Hamas operatives who were using media credentials as cover.
The elimination of Aslih underscores the challenges faced by Israel in distinguishing between legitimate journalists and individuals who exploit journalistic cover to engage in terrorist activities. His death marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
RELATED ARTICLE: