In a joint statement on Sunday, the IDF and Shin Bet said that Zaki Youssef Mahmoud Abu Mustafa, a Nukhba commander in the Khan Yunis Brigade of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, was killed late last week in southern Gaza.
According to the statement, Abu Mustafa took part in the October 7 assault on Kibbutz Nir Oz and in the abduction of Yagil Yaakov during the massacre. The forces said he had recently worked extensively to rebuild the group’s capabilities in the Strip, in violation of the ceasefire agreement.
The statement also said Abu Mustafa advanced multiple terror plans against Israeli forces and tried to arrange training for militants inside Nasser Hospital, apparently to reduce the chance they would be killed while operating there. The IDF released an image of Abu Mustafa from the kidnapping incident.
The announcement was issued on June 21, 2026.