October 30th, 2017: Mohammad Marwan al-Aqha was killed while participating in a rescue operation following the Israeli bombardment of a border tunnel in Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. He was one of seven killed in the tunnel bombardment, while 12 more were injured, including three who suffered life-threatening wounds.
Mohammad entered the tunnel after the bombing had taken place, to assist with the search and rescue operations, when the tunnel collapsed further, crushing him and one other rescue worker.
During the attack, the Israeli army fired at least five missiles into the tunnel, which was still under construction in the area near Kissufim military base, across the border fence.
The tunnel was run by Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad. Five of those killed were members of the Al-Quds Brigades, while two, including Misbah were members of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, who entered the tunnel after the bombing to assist with the search and rescue operations.
The Israeli army said it carried out what it called “a scheduled detonation of a new tunnel, which was under construction near the border fence.” The bombing was instantly followed by heavy deployment of armored vehicles and fighter jets, in the area, especially east of Khan Younis.
A number of Palestinian armed resistance groups responded to the bombardment by issuing calls for retaliation against Israel, and criticizing Israel for what they claimed was an unnecessary escalation.
Mohammad, a fighter with the Al-Qassam Brigades, was from the Central District of Gaza. Source: IMEMC