IDF Eliminates Hamas Terrorists Involved in October 7th Attacks and Hostage-Taking

The Israeli military (IDF) has reported the elimination of approximately 70 Hamas terrorists during September, including high-ranking commanders and individuals directly involved in the October 7th massacre and subsequent hostage-takings. Among those killed were terrorists responsible for the abduction of Sharon Hertzman-Avigdori and her family, as well as Noa Argamani and Avinatan Or from the Nova music festival. The IDF stated that these operations are a moral imperative that cannot be abandoned, emphasizing that no terrorist who harmed Israeli citizens will escape historical justice.

The ongoing efforts to dismantle Hamas's capabilities include targeting those who participated in the initial raid, kidnappings, and holding hostages. In September alone, the IDF eliminated three Hamas brigade commanders, two battalion commanders, and nine company commanders. Seventeen terrorists involved in the Nili raid, hostage-taking, and civilian abductions to Gaza were also killed. Prominent senior figures eliminated include the commander of the Khan Yunis brigade, Muhammad Yazouri; the commander of the Rafah brigade and head of operations for Hamas's military wing, Na'el Abu Abed; the commander of the Gaza Strip's northern brigade, Ez al-Din Bich; and the organization's director of finance, Muhammad Abu Alwan.

Further eliminations include Saher Nadal Latifi Zakr, the motorcycle driver who abducted Noa Argamani and Avinatan Or, and Ismail Ibrahim Darwish Qandil, who participated in the raid and the killing of Colonel Yonatan Steinberg. These targeted killings are the result of prolonged intelligence and operational efforts, capitalizing on opportunities that arose over a short period. The IDF noted that terrorists often hide in tunnels or blend into densely populated areas, requiring extended surveillance to ensure accurate identification and location for precise strikes while minimizing civilian casualties.

In September, the Air Force, guided by the Intelligence Directorate and various commands, struck over 140 targets in the Gaza Strip. Additionally, over 370 targets belonging to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon were attacked. The IDF assesses that Hamas is no longer the military and governing organization it was before October 6, 2023, with its battalion structure dismantled, senior command severely impacted, and core infrastructure destroyed. However, the organization continues to attempt to regroup and rearm. The Southern Command's focus in September was on eliminating individuals involved in rearmament, striking hidden command centers, and neutralizing civilian-security control points used by Hamas to maintain its grip on the population. The operational effort continues to counter Hamas's attempts to rebuild and reorganize.