Over the past year, he was responsible for raising and transferring tens of millions of dollars to Hamas’ military wing.
By The IDF Club
The IDF announced that another key Hamas terrorist was killed in the same Gaza strike earlier this month that eliminated Ra’ad Sa’ad, one of the terror group’s most senior military commanders.
According to the IDF, the joint operation with the Shin Bet targeted a vehicle carrying Abd al-Hay Zaqout, a senior terrorist in Hamas’ military wing finance department, alongside Sa’ad.
The strike was carried out two weeks ago, and the elimination of Zaqout was confirmed on Wednesday by IDF Arabic-language spokesperson Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee.
The military said Zaqout was a central figure in Hamas’ financial infrastructure and played a critical role in sustaining the organization’s war effort.
Over the past year, he was responsible for raising and transferring tens of millions of dollars to Hamas’ military wing, funds used to finance weapons procurement, operations, and ongoing fighting against Israel.
Israeli officials described Zaqout as a high-value target in Israel’s broader campaign to dismantle Hamas’ economic backbone, which enables the group to regroup and continue operating despite sustained military pressure.
The same strike also killed Ra’ad Sa’ad, Hamas’ weapons chief and one of the architects of the October 7 massacre in southern Israel. According to the IDF, Sa’ad was deeply involved in weapons production and procurement, and his elimination significantly weakened Hamas’ ability to rebuild its military capabilities.
The operation reflects the IDF’s strategy of targeting Hamas across the full spectrum of its leadership, from battlefield commanders to the financial and logistical operatives who enable the organization to function.
The military stressed it will continue coordinated operations with the Shin Bet to dismantle Hamas’ leadership and capabilities at every level, including those responsible for financing, planning, and carrying out terror attacks against Israel.
