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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Wednesday the killing of senior Hamas Nukhba commander Muhammad Naif Abu Shamala in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza.
According to the military, Shamala was eliminated on August 13, nearly a year after he infiltrated Israel during the October 7, 2023, attacks.
Shamala, a leading operative of Hamas’ elite Nukhba forces, played a direct role in the assault on the IDF’s Ma’aras military post last October.
The IDF described him as being responsible for orchestrating numerous terrorist operations against Israeli forces and civilians.
His death marks another significant blow to Hamas’ military leadership as Israel continues targeted strikes against those involved in the unprecedented attacks.
In a related announcement, the IDF and the Shin Bet security agency revealed on Tuesday that Hamas operative Jihad Kamal Salem Najjar was killed on August 10, also in southern Gaza.
Najjar was among the terrorists who abducted Israeli civilian Yarden Bibas from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7. The military released footage showing Najjar alongside Bibas during the kidnapping.
Following the announcement, Bibas expressed gratitude to the IDF and Shin Bet for neutralizing the terrorist responsible for his abduction. “This is a painful but just outcome,” he reportedly said.
The killing of Najjar adds to a growing list of senior Hamas operatives eliminated in recent weeks. On August 7, the IDF confirmed the death of Nukhba deputy commander Abdullah Saeed Abd al-Baqin, a member of Hamas’ Central Jabalya Battalion.
Abd al-Baqin had also taken part in the October 7 assault, joining the raid on the Erez IDF base. He was directly involved in the kidnapping of soldiers Ron Sherman, the late Nick Beiser, and Tamir Nimrodi.
The IDF stated that the continued targeting of Hamas’ upper command structure aims to weaken the group’s ability to plan and execute further attacks. “Every eliminated terrorist leader is one less threat to Israeli civilians and soldiers,” the military said in a statement.
The October 7 attacks, launched by Hamas’ Nukhba Unit, saw hundreds of militants infiltrate Israeli territory, storming border communities and military posts.
The coordinated assault resulted in mass casualties and the abduction of dozens of civilians and soldiers, sparking the current phase of the war in Gaza.
Israel has since prioritized operations against senior Hamas figures, particularly those tied to the kidnappings and killings that day.
Analysts note that the elimination of multiple Nukhba commanders within weeks reflects growing intelligence cooperation between the IDF and Shin Bet, coupled with precision airstrikes in southern Gaza.
While Israel continues to announce operational successes, the conflict shows no signs of abating, with Hamas maintaining rocket fire and guerrilla-style tactics in Gaza.
Nevertheless, Israeli officials emphasize that the removal of key Hamas leaders is essential to preventing future large-scale attacks on its territory.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members