IDF Eliminates Hamas Naval Police Commander and Two Senior Officers in Gaza Strike

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet announced the targeted killing of Manzur Sami Mahmoud Shahatot, the commander of Hamas's naval police in central Gaza, along with two other senior naval commanders. The precise strike took place two days ago in central Gaza Strip and aimed to neutralize an immediate threat to Israeli forces deployed in the area. According to security sources, Shahatot had recently been orchestrating terrorist operations against IDF troops stationed in Gaza.

The Hamas naval police, operating under the organization's military wing, are responsible for planning and executing maritime and land-based terrorist activities against Israel. The three militants were armed and traveling in a vehicle, posing an imminent danger to Israeli soldiers. This operation is part of a series of recent targeted killings by the IDF against senior terror operatives in Gaza, including the elimination of a Nohaiba terror cell leader and Islamic Jihad commanders involved in imminent attack plans.

The IDF Southern Command continues to maintain its deployment in the area in accordance with existing agreements, focusing on removing any immediate threats to its forces. The military spokesperson emphasized that the campaign to eliminate threats continues and that security forces will act against any entity endangering Israeli soldiers and civilians.

This strike adds to ongoing efforts to dismantle Hamas's terror infrastructure, which recently included exposing extensive terror networks operated from Turkey and neutralizing militants managing financial channels for Hamas's military wing. The removal of these naval police commanders significantly disrupts Hamas's capacity to plan and carry out attacks against Israeli forces. The IDF continues to rely on precise intelligence and focused strikes to target senior terror operatives in Gaza, with further updates expected.