The IDF confirmed Monday the elimination of Mahmoud Fatair, a Nukhba commander in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad who infiltrated Israel on October 7, 2023, and took part in holding hostage Rom Braslavski. Fatair was killed in a strike in Deir al-Balah over the weekend. The military also released documentation showing Fatair's participation in the sixth phase of Operation 'Heaven's Doors,' a hostage handover ceremony involving 10 captives, including Ofir Engel and Amit Shani.
The IDF Spokesperson confirmed Monday evening that Mahmoud Fatair, a Nukhba company commander in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad's Central Gaza Brigade, was eliminated in a strike in Deir al-Balah over the weekend. Fatair was among the terrorists who crossed into Israel on October 7, 2023, and was directly involved in the captivity of hostage Rom Braslavski. The military also released evidence showing Fatair's role in the sixth phase of Operation 'Heaven's Doors' in November 2023, during which he appeared at a formal handover ceremony of 10 captives, including Ofir Engel and Amit Shani.
The IDF's initial announcement at 11:52 Jerusalem time Monday identified Fatair as a Nukhba commander involved in holding Braslavski. Throughout the day, the military issued additional details, specifying his rank as a company commander and releasing documentation of his presence at the hostage handover. The IDF stated that Fatair had recently been attempting to advance terror attacks against Israeli forces and civilians, justifying the strike as a necessary measure to remove an immediate threat.
The elimination is part of the IDF's ongoing campaign to target operatives who participated in the October 7 massacre and continue to pose a threat. The Zioneer has reported on similar targeted operations against Oct. 7 infiltrators, including the elimination of PIJ commander Zaher Abu Salem and other Nukhba operatives. The military has consistently emphasized that such operations are conducted with precise intelligence and munitions, even amid the ongoing ceasefire.
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