Among those killed was Ali Sami Mohammed Shkara, a Hamas Nukhba commander involved in the Oct. 7 massacre and the abduction of four hostages from a shelter near Re’im.
By The IDF Club
IDF forces operating in central Gaza killed a Hamas terror cell that was planning an imminent attack on Israeli troops, the military said Sunday, adding that several senior terrorists involved in the Oct. 7 massacre and hostage-taking were among those eliminated.
The strike was carried out Saturday by the Gaza Division, in coordination with the Shin Bet, after intelligence identified armed Hamas operatives approaching the “yellow line” with plans to carry out attacks in the immediate term.
According to the IDF, one of those killed was Ali Sami Mohammed Shkara, a Nukhba unit commander who infiltrated Israel during the Oct. 7 massacre and took part in the abduction of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alon Ohel, Eliya Cohen, and Or Levy from a shelter near Re’im.
The military said two additional Hamas operatives eliminated in the strike, Mohammed Mabhouh and Mohammed Fouad Ghasser Said, were involved in holding hostage Avinatan Or in Gaza.
In a rare disclosure, the IDF released an image of Said inside a Hamas tunnel, where he is seen holding the hostage.
Additional Nukhba terrorists were also killed in the strike, including terrorists involved in launching rockets toward Israeli territory.
The IDF said forces under Southern Command remain deployed in the area in accordance with operational arrangements and will continue to act to remove any immediate threats.
