Jerusalem, Dec 24 (Reporter) The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said on Monday that it had eliminated the head of the security directorate of Palestinian movement Hamas. "Yesterday (Sunday), with direction of IDF and ISA [Israel Security Agency] intelligence, the IAF [Israeli Air Force] struck and eliminated the terrorist Tharwat Muhammad Ahmed Albec, who served as the head of the Security Directorate of Hamas' Security Mechanisms," the IDF said on Telegram. The IDF added that it had struck a command and control center of Hamas located in the former Musa bin Nusayr school in the Gaza Strip. "Prior to the strike, numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians, including the use of precise munitions, aerial surveillance, and additional intelligence," it added. The Hamas security directorate produces intelligence assessments for decision-making and protects senior members by providing hideout places for their military activities, the IDF said. Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023. In addition, Hamas fighters infiltrated the border areas, opened fire on the military and civilians and took hostages. Israeli authorities say that about 1,200 people were killed during the raid. In response, the Israel Defence Forces launched Operation Iron Swords in the Gaza Strip and announced a complete blockade of the enclave...////...