IDF Eliminates Hamas Operatives Involved in October 7th Attack and Hostage Holding

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Friday the elimination of two Hamas operatives in Gaza earlier this week. One of those killed was Hassan Mahmoud Siam, identified as a commander in Hamas's military wing who participated in the October 7th massacre and held hostages Amit Susannah, Keith Siegel, Aviva Siegel, and Dafna Elyakim. Siam was eliminated in Gaza City.

The second operative, Adham Sabhi Salim Ziara, also a member of Hamas's military wing, was killed in Gaza City as well. According to the IDF, both men were targeted from the air and were involved in firing at IDF forces and planting explosives near the Gaza border fence, in violation of the ceasefire agreement.

These killings follow other recent IDF operations in Gaza. On Thursday, the IDF eliminated Jaber Makbel, a Hamas operative in Deir al-Balah who led a money exchange network that transferred millions of dollars in foreign currency to the organization. Also on Thursday, Hassan Albata, a sniper in Hamas's military wing, was killed in Khan Younis. The IDF stated that both Makbel and Albata were advancing terror plans and working to restore the organization's capabilities.

Earlier in the week, on Wednesday, the IDF eliminated Hamas's finance department director, Mohammed Abu Alwan, in Gaza. The IDF reported that Abu Alwan had transferred over a billion shekels to fund Hamas's activities during the war and had been involved in budgeting for the terror group for about a decade. He was reportedly working to restore Hamas's capabilities and violated the ceasefire.

The IDF stated that these targeted killings are part of ongoing pressure on Hamas by the IDF and Shin Bet, focusing on eliminating the organization's operatives. Two weeks prior, the IDF eliminated Nael Abu Abed, commander of Hamas's Rafah brigade, in a drone strike. Abu Abed had replaced Mohammed Shabanah, who was killed in Khan Younis alongside the then-head of Hamas's military wing, Mohammed Sinwar.