Freed hostage Rom Braslavski responded in Arabic to the killing of the terrorist who held him captive, saying 'He destroyed my soul, they will all die,' according to i24NEWS. The IDF confirmed it eliminated Mahmoud Fatair, a Nukhba commander in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad's Central Gaza Brigade, in a strike in Deir al-Balah over the weekend. Fatair was documented taking part in hostage handover ceremonies during the November 2023 'Heaven's Doors' operation.
Freed hostage Rom Braslavski responded in Arabic to the killing of the terrorist who held him captive, saying 'He destroyed my soul, they will all die,' according to i24NEWS. The comments came earlier this evening, hours after the IDF confirmed at 11:52 Jerusalem that it had eliminated Mahmoud Fatair, a Nukhba commander in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad's Central Gaza Brigade, in a strike in Deir al-Balah over the weekend.
At 11:52 Jerusalem, the IDF confirmed the elimination of Fatair, stating that he infiltrated Israel on October 7, 2023, and participated in holding hostage Rom Braslavski. In subsequent updates through the afternoon, the military released evidence showing Fatair's role in the sixth phase of Operation 'Heaven's Doors' in November 2023, where he appeared at a formal handover ceremony alongside released hostages including Ofir Engel and Amit Shani. The IDF also stated that Fatair had recently been advancing terror plots against Israeli forces and civilians. The Zioneer published a detailed report at 18:06 Jerusalem, including footage of the strike.
The elimination of Fatair is part of the IDF's ongoing campaign to locate and eliminate the perpetrators of the October 7 massacre, particularly Nukhba commanders who infiltrated Israeli communities. As The Zioneer has reported, similar operations have targeted Nukhba commanders in recent weeks, including in Khan Younis and southern Gaza, alongside other PIJ operatives.
The IDF has not commented on Braslavski's reaction. The full circumstances of Fatair's elimination — including the exact timing of the strike — remain as stated by the military. Braslavski's statement, reported by i24NEWS, has not been independently verified.
9 developments
- StrongFreed hostage Rom Braslavsky warns remaining captors: 'Not one of you will remain' after guard eliminated
- StrongIDF eliminates Hamas Nukhba platoon commander who led Oct. 7 abduction cell in Khan Younis
- DevelopingFreed hostage Rom Braslavsky says guard threatened to kill him minutes before release
- StrongIDF eliminates Nukhba commander who infiltrated on Oct. 7 and looted an IDF vehicle
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