Israel’s army said it had killed a “central figure” in Syria responsible for Hamas rocket attacks against Israel.

The military said Hassan Akasha had been “eliminated” in Beit Jinn, an area under Syrian government control close to the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights.

“He was a central figure responsible for rockets fired by Hamas from Syrian territory toward Israel in recent weeks,” the army said in a statement.

“Since the beginning of the war, Akasha directed Hamas terrorist cells which fired rockets from Syria toward Israeli territory,” it said.

“We will not allow terrorism from Syrian territory and hold Syria responsible for all activity emanating from its territory,” the Israeli army statement said.

There was no immediate comment from Hamas.