Senior Hamas operative involved in Gilad Shalit captivity killed in Israeli strike

Arafat al-Arir, a senior Hamas operative, died from wounds sustained in an Israeli strike in Tel al-Hawa, western Gaza City, several days ago. Al-Arir accompanied Gilad Shalit on the day of his release in 2011 and was among the few surviving individuals involved in Shalit's abduction or guarding. An unprecedented funeral was held today in Gaza City. Gazan sources estimate the cost of ammunition fired during the funeral at tens of thousands of dollars.