An Israel Defense Forces spokesperson told CNN that it had killed another Hamas commander, Billal al-Qedra, who allegedly led the attacks on the Nirim kibbutz near the Israeli border. The IDF continues to urge civilians to evacuate to the south of Gaza, Lerner said, to enable the Israeli military to target Hamas. Hamas has "physically prevented people from moving" and "booby-trapped some of the roads in anticipation" of the move, he added. So effectively, what we're doing is dismantling the entire system to begin with," Lerner said. Lerner said he "hopes" that the war between Israel and Hamas does not become a larger regional conflict, but he said he recognizes that "hope is not a method."

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Persons: Billal, Peter Lerner, Khan Yunis, Lerner Organizations: Israel Defense Forces, CNN, Israeli Air Force, Israel Securities Authority, Hamas, IDF Locations: Khan, Gaza, Israel, Iran