Israel Defense Forces ✔

IDF eliminated Hamas commander involved in holding numerous hostages in Hamas captivity Yesterday (Thursday), the IDF struck in the Nuseirat area and eliminated Ihab Jamil Abu Taqiya, a squad commander in the military wing of the Hamas terrorist organization. Abu Taqiya was involved in holding numerous hostages at the beginning of the war, including Raya Rotem, Hila Rotem Shoshani, Emily Hand, Ohad Ben Ami, Noa Argamani, Andrey Kozlov, Shlomi Ziv, Almog Meir Jan, Maxim Herkin, Yosef Haim Ohana, Segev Kalfon, Alexander Lobanov. Ibrahim Gihad Muhammad Abu Oshaiba, a platoon commander in Hamas’ military wing, was also eliminated in the strike. Throughout the war, and particularly recently, the terrorists advanced terror attacks against IDF troops and Israeli civilians and operated to restore the capabilities of the Hamas terrorist organization, in systematic violation of the ceasefire. The terrorists were eliminated in an aerial strike to remove the threat they posed. Prior to the strike, measures were taken to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precision munitions and aerial surveillance. IDF troops under the Southern Command remain deployed in the area in accordance with the agreement and will continue to operate to remove any threat.