Hamas Terrorist Responsible for Killing Seven Israelis Eliminated in Gaza

Israeli security forces eliminated Farach Hamad, a senior Hamas military wing operative, in an airstrike in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. Hamad was involved in numerous attacks that resulted in the deaths of Israeli soldiers and civilians over a 23-year period. The operation was a joint effort by the Shin Bet, the IDF, and the Gideonim Unit 33 of Lahav 433.

According to a joint statement from the Shin Bet, IDF, and police, Hamad previously served as a senior figure in Hamas's "West Bank Headquarters" and participated in combat against IDF forces during the recent war. In recent years, he promoted terror plots in the West Bank and was a member of the "Silwad" cell. His past attacks include a November 2002 shooting near the Rimmonim junction that killed civilian Esther Galiya Attia, a June 2003 shooting on Route 60 that killed civilian Zvi (Howard) Goldstein, and an August 2003 shooting on Alon Road in Samaria that killed civilian Shalom Har Melech, husband of Knesset member Limor Son Har Melech.

Hamad also participated in an October 2003 shooting attack in Ein Yabrud, which killed three IDF soldiers: Sergeant Elad Pollak, Sergeant Roi Yaakov Solomon, and First Sergeant Erez Idan. He was arrested and later released to the Gaza Strip in 2011 as part of the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange deal. Since his release, he continued to be affiliated with Hamas's military wing, recruiting and directing operatives for attacks in the West Bank.

Security officials stated that measures were taken to minimize civilian casualties before the strike, including the use of precision munitions and aerial surveillance. The Shin Bet, IDF, and police affirmed their continued commitment to protecting Israeli citizens and security forces and neutralizing threats in the region.