IDF Kills Senior Nukhba Commander Behind Inbar Heyman Kidnapping in Gaza Strike

The Israel Defense Forces announced the targeted killing of Taher Ahmed Salem Abd Alwahid, a senior Nukhba commander from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), involved directly in the October 7 massacre and the kidnapping of Inbar Heyman. The strike took place over the past weekend in central Gaza, guided by Shin Bet intelligence. Abd Alwahid led the assault on the Nova party compound in Re'im, where Heyman was abducted after hiding from militants. Heyman was later killed in Hamas captivity, with her body returned to Israel months afterward.

Alongside Abd Alwahid, another PIJ operative, Salah Tzabhi Salah Qatrawi, was killed in a simultaneous strike. Qatrawi was reportedly advancing terror plans against IDF forces in southern Gaza, cynically endangering local civilians and exploiting humanitarian aid efforts. The IDF emphasized that both militants were actively preparing immediate terror attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians.

Heyman’s family, who waited long for her body’s return, revealed she had served as a commander in the Caracal Battalion for three years, honoring her as a national hero. The recent killings are part of a series of IDF operations targeting senior terror commanders in Gaza over recent weeks, aiming to neutralize threats and bring those responsible for the October 7 attacks and kidnappings to justice. IDF Southern Command forces remain deployed according to existing agreements and continue efforts to eliminate imminent threats to Israeli citizens and soldiers.