Katz: 4,000 of 6,000 Oct. 7 terrorists killed, Israel vows to eliminate rest

The disclosure marks a significant milestone in Israel's ongoing effort to achieve full accountability for the atrocities committed three years ago. According to the figures presented by Maj. Gen. Binder, the total number of terrorists who breached the border fence and participated in the invasion is now estimated at 6,000. Of these, two-thirds have been neutralized by the IDF and security agencies in the years of fighting since the outbreak of the war.

A Clear Directive

Defense Minister Katz emphasized that the instruction from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and himself to the security establishment is "sharp and clear." Beyond the strategic goals of dismantling Hamas's military capabilities and demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, the security forces are tasked with pursuing every individual participant in the massacre, regardless of rank. "We will pursue and eliminate them all—from the senior officials to the junior operatives," Katz stated, noting that this effort will continue "without limits and in any situation."

The Intelligence Manhunt

The ongoing effort to locate the remaining 2,000 terrorists is being spearheaded by Military Intelligence (Aman) and the Shin Bet's specialized "Nili" unit. This unit was established specifically to identify and target every person involved in the October 7 attacks. As The Zioneer has tracked through prior operational updates, the number of confirmed eliminations has grown steadily; in June 2026, the figure stood at approximately 2,555, indicating a significant acceleration in successful targeting operations over the recent months.

Strategic Context

This commitment to total elimination aligns with Katz's broader security doctrine. As previously reported by The Zioneer, the Defense Minister has consistently maintained that Israel will not withdraw from strategic security zones in Gaza or southern Lebanon, viewing physical control and the systematic dismantling of terror infrastructure as the primary lessons of the October 7 failure. The pursuit of the remaining perpetrators is viewed not only as a matter of justice but as a necessary component of restoring long-term deterrence and ensuring such an infiltration can never be repeated.