IDF Kills Hamas Nocturnal Raid Leader Behind October 7 Attack on Re'im Camp

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Thursday that it killed Yahya Saeed Muhammad Hamdan, the head of the Nocturnal Raid unit in Hamas's military wing, in a strike in southern Gaza. Hamdan was involved in the October 7 massacre at the Re'im military camp and had recently worked to restore Hamas's terrorist capabilities against Israeli forces. The IDF described him as an immediate threat to troops operating in the area and said the precise aerial strike eliminated him.

In the past week, the IDF has targeted multiple terror operatives in Gaza linked to the October 7 attacks and the holding of hostages. On the same day, the IDF killed Rashid Alqatsi, a senior figure in the production division of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), responsible for manufacturing and supplying weapons to the group's military wing. Alqatsi played a key role in developing arms intended to harm Israeli soldiers and civilians.

Palestinian sources reported that Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem survived an Israeli assassination attempt involving an airstrike on his vehicle, though his aide Muhammad Al-Fayoumi was reportedly killed. Earlier this week, the IDF and Shin Bet announced the killing of terrorist Hidd Abu Salam, who infiltrated Israel on October 7 and participated in kidnapping civilians. Abu Salam, formerly a commander in Khan Yunis, had recently promoted terror plans including attempts to restore weapons aimed at Israeli forces.

The IDF Southern Command remains deployed in the area under existing agreements and continues operations to neutralize immediate threats from terrorist groups in Gaza.