Israeli forces detained the head of Hamas’ general security apparatus during an operation in Gaza, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced.
An Israeli security official named the Hamas figure as Mu’in al-Arabid, describing him as the chief of the group’s General Security Apparatus. The official said al-Arabid was taken into custody during an Israeli raid that pushed deep into Hamas-controlled territory in Gaza. According to the official, the Israel Defense Forces used airstrikes to cover troops as they withdrew, and no Israeli casualties were reported.
Katz said the arrest reflected Israel’s broader approach to Hamas. “A short time ago, a senior Hamas terrorist was arrested, and this is our policy: We do not wait for threats. Instead, we pursue Hamas terrorists, thwart them, and destroy their terrorist infrastructure. We have built a strong and unprecedented security zone in Gaza to protect residents and IDF soldiers,” he said in a statement.
Soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces stand on top of tanks at the borders with Gaza, on Oct. 10, 2025, the first day of the ceasefire with Hamas. (Ilia Yefimovich/picture alliance via Getty Images)
The defense minister added that Israel intends to maintain control until its military objectives in Gaza are met. “Nearly 70% of the Gaza Strip has been destroyed, with no residents, no tunnels, and no homes, and the IDF controls the territory. We are not leaving Gaza until the Strip is demilitarized, Hamas is disarmed, and all terrorist tunnels are destroyed. Even after that, the IDF will remain in Gaza along defensive lines and ensure the security of the western Negev communities. Any attempt to bypass the security zone through aerial launches will be met with a harsh response,” Katz said.
The raid comes weeks after President Donald Trump’s administration demanded that Hamas disarm and give up control of Gaza in August. Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, traveled to Israel last month and said the IDF may receive U.S. backing to “finish the job.”
Joint press statements by the Greek Minister of National Defense, Nikos Dendias, and the Israeli Minister of Defense, Israel Katz, at the Ministry of National Defense, Athens, January 20, 2026. (Nick Paleologos / SOOC / AFP via Getty Images)
“If they don’t follow through now on their commitment, everyone will see that they’re not genuine about peace, and then Israel will have a lot more support from the U.S. and others to go and finish the job in the appropriate way,” Kushner also told Fox News’ Trey Yingst of the terrorist group.
The warning from Trump’s son-in-law followed a rare face-to-face meeting with Hamas in Egypt — only Kushner’s second known meeting with the group.
“They said all the right things, but obviously, it’s very, very hard to trust, you know, a terrorist organization that committed these terrible atrocities,” Kushner continued. “But we had a very cordial meeting, and they said all the right things, and so we’re going to give them a chance to perform.”
Jared Kushner speaks during the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 19, 2026. Kushner is facing pushback in Albania over a luxury development project. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
“It’s going to have to be based on actions and steps, and I hope it will be true.”
The U.S.-led “Board of Peace” proposal centers on a phased ceasefire, demilitarization of Gaza, Israeli troop withdrawal, Palestinian technocratic governance and international reconstruction efforts.