Hamas operatives, including Oct. 7 infiltrator, killed in Gaza strike: IDF

Among those killed was Hazem Rami Ali Aidi, whom the IDF identified as a Hamas cell commander who infiltrated Israeli territory during the October 7 massacre. Israeli authorities have consistently prioritised individuals linked to the October 7 attacks, describing them as key targets in the broader campaign against Hamas.

In Short

• Southern Command carried out the operation using Israel Security Agency intelligence
• Hazem Aidi was identified as a commander linked to October 7 attacks
• Ibrahim Mansour allegedly led repeated attacks and rebuilt Hamas capabilities

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it eliminated several Hamas operatives in a targeted strike in central Gaza, identifying the group as a cell planning “imminent” attacks against Israeli troops deployed in the area.

According to the IDF, the operation was conducted earlier this week by forces under Southern Command, acting on intelligence from the Israel Security Agency (ISA). The military said the strike focused on a Hamas unit actively preparing near-term attacks on Israeli forces, underscoring what it described as an ongoing threat on the ground.

Among those killed was Hazem Rami Ali Aidi, whom the IDF identified as a Hamas cell commander who infiltrated Israeli territory during the October 7 massacre. Israeli authorities have consistently prioritised individuals linked to the October 7 attacks, describing them as key targets in the broader campaign against Hamas.

The strike also killed Ibrahim Mansour, described by the IDF as a Hamas platoon commander who led repeated attacks against Israeli troops during the war. The military said Mansour played a central role in efforts to rebuild Hamas’s operational strength and reconstitute its capabilities, actions it claims violated ceasefire arrangements.

Maher Tantawi, an operative in Hamas’s military intelligence unit, was also among those killed. The IDF said his work involved intelligence activities used to plan attacks against Israeli forces.

In a statement posted on X, the IDF said the targeted individuals were involved in coordinating what it described as imminent “terror attacks.” It added that precautions were taken ahead of the strike to reduce the risk of civilian harm, including aerial surveillance and the use of precision-guided munitions.

The operation comes as fighting continues in Gaza, with Israeli forces maintaining pressure on Hamas’s leadership and infrastructure following the October 7 attacks. The conflict remains a focal point of international concern, particularly amid warnings about escalation and the humanitarian situation in the enclave.

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