IDF and Shin Bet kill Hamas naval police commander Mansour Shahtout in central Gaza, two others

The IDF and Shin Bet confirmed that Mansour Sami Mahmoud Shahtout, a key figure in Hamas' naval apparatus, was killed in a precision aerial strike on Friday. According to military intelligence, Shahtout had been actively advancing and directing terror attacks against IDF troops operating in the Gaza Strip. Two additional commanders belonging to the Hamas Naval Police were killed alongside him in the same vehicle.

Operational Context

The Hamas Naval Police operates as a specialized branch under the group's military wing. Its primary role involves coordinating maritime-based threats and directing attacks against both IDF forces and Israeli territory. This strike follows a pattern of targeted operations aimed at dismantling the command structure of Hamas' specialized units. Earlier this month, The Zioneer reported on a similar strike against the Hamas naval police headquarters in Khan Yunis, which resulted in the death of commander Ismail Allaham.

Threat Neutralization

At the time of the strike, the three operatives were identified as being armed and in transit within the central Gaza Strip. The IDF stated that the elimination was necessary to remove an immediate threat to ground troops. To minimize the risk to non-combatants, the military utilized precise munitions and maintained continuous aerial surveillance throughout the operation. The IDF Southern Command remains deployed in the area in accordance with existing agreements and continues to operate to remove any immediate threats.