The commander of the 933rd Nahal Infantry Brigade, an elite Israeli unit, Yehonatan Steinberg, was killed during confrontations with a Palestinian freedom fighter in the Gaza envelope, the Israeli occupation forces reported.

Steinberg, 42, from the southern settlement of "Shomria", was en route to the site of clashes being managed by his subordinates when he encountered a freedom fighter who killed him, the Israeli occupation forces said on X.

During his inauguration ceremony, Steinberg said his motto was "Wanting, preparing, winning." It's worth noting that he was appointed back in May, meaning he only lasted for 5 months in his position.

Earlier today, Israeli media reported that Israeli settlers in the Gaza Envelope are pleading for help, decrying the army's impotence and abandonment. Meanwhile, footage showed a mass exodus of Israeli settlers following Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.

Meanwhile, the settlers are staying inside amid the ongoing firing of rockets by the Palestinian Resistance. Palestinian fighters have also crossed over to the settlements near Gaza, taking control of several positions belonging to the Israeli occupation forces.

During his inauguration, Steinberg said his motto was "Wanting, preparing, winning." It's worth noting that he was appointed back in May, meaning he only lasted for 5 months in his position.#Palestine #OperationAlAqsaFlood #طوفان_الأقصى pic.twitter.com/lpFEgflCxh

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 7, 2023

Concurrently, the Israeli army has begun calling up reserves, opening shelters, and advising settlers to stay in fortified locations. Israeli media also reported that "the settlers are afraid, shocked, and frustrated, and they are pleading for help from the army."

Read more: Palestinian Resistance operation takes Israeli occupation by storm

The Biden administration provided briefings to House and Senate intelligence committee staff members about the ongoing situation in "Israel," Politico reported on Saturday, noting that questions are being raised on whether the US and "Israel" had any knowledge prior to Hamas launching its resistance operation. 

The briefings, conducted at the classified level, raised questions about why Israeli intelligence appeared to be unaware of the operation. Staff members are particularly interested in investigating potential lapses in intelligence, considering it a plausible scenario at this time.

"That something of this size could be pulled off, I can tell you that that is not done without a lot of observable signals," said Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee. "It was kind of shocking in its size and ambition."