IDF Confirms Killing of Senior Hamas Commander Holding Hostages in Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed on Friday the killing of Muhammad Mashta, a Hamas platoon commander who held numerous hostages during the October 7 attack on Israel. Mashta, who led a platoon in Hamas's Shati Battalion, was critically wounded in an Israeli airstrike on a hideout in Gaza on July 30 and died days later from his injuries. According to the IDF spokesperson, Mashta was involved in detaining several hostages, including the late Tzachi Idan and Corporal Noa Marzano, as well as Ziv Berman, Omri Miran, Uri Magidish, Naama Levy, and Matan Angrist.

The IDF stated that Mashta recently attempted to orchestrate terror attacks against Israeli forces and civilians and was eliminated to neutralize the threat. Southern Command forces remain deployed in the area under existing agreements and will continue operations to remove immediate threats. Meanwhile, US Special Envoy Jared Kushner and UN Special Coordinator Nikolay Mladenov plan to visit Israel, possibly next week, to discuss the activation of former President Donald Trump's 15-point peace plan for Gaza with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, Netanyahu reiterated Israel's rejection of the plan, emphasizing that no Israeli withdrawal will occur until Hamas is disarmed.

Despite official ceasefire claims by US peace council officials, Israeli strikes in Gaza have continued for the third consecutive day. The IDF recently killed another Hamas platoon commander in Khan Yunis who was planning terror attacks. An additional strike in Gaza City reportedly killed Jamal Abu Kamil, head of Gaza district police, according to Gaza's Interior Ministry. Netanyahu affirmed that IDF rules of engagement in Gaza remain unchanged, with full backing to counter threats against Israeli soldiers and civilians. Israeli security sources noted Washington's acceptance of Israel's ongoing counterterrorism measures and agreed to increase coordination with the US command in Kiryat Gat while moderating Gaza operations.