IDF Eliminates Hamas Operative Posing as Humanitarian Aid Manager

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Sunday evening the elimination of Zakar Nabil Musa Qissi in an airstrike in Khan Younis, Gaza. The IDF identified Qissi as a Hamas operative from the Nukhba force who participated in the October 7th raid into Israel. According to the IDF spokesperson, alongside his Hamas activities, Qissi managed the Turkish organization Deniz Feneri, which presented itself as a humanitarian aid group.

The IDF claims that Deniz Feneri maintained ties with senior Hamas leadership and Turkish officials. "In his role within the organization, the operative worked to employ many operatives on a regular basis and to provide financial support to Hamas operatives. The organization and its leaders present their activities as humanitarian, but in practice, they promote fundraising to support the Hamas terror organization," the IDF stated. The military added that this represents a "cynical exploitation of the humanitarian space to support terror activity, while promoting Hamas's activities under a humanitarian guise."

Furthermore, the IDF reported that Qissi had recently been advancing terror plots against Israeli forces and civilians while simultaneously working to restore Hamas's capabilities, "systematically violating the ceasefire." The strike was carried out to neutralize the threat he posed. The IDF stated that measures were taken before the attack to minimize civilian harm, including the use of precision munitions and aerial surveillance.

The IDF reiterated its commitment to targeting Hamas's financing capabilities and preventing the restoration of its infrastructure and military abilities. Forces in the Southern Command are deployed in the area and will continue to operate to remove any immediate threats.