The IDF and Shin Bet say they killed Waleed Haniyeh, a Hamas Nukhba deputy company commander and nephew of the late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, in an operation day before yesterday (Thursday/Friday). The military details that Haniyeh led a cell that crossed into Israel on October 7, directed the abduction of Israeli civilians into Gaza, and recently tried to recruit new operatives.
The IDF's Saturday evening announcement confirms the elimination of Waleed Haniyeh and provides a fuller operational picture than the initial reports earlier this weekend. As The Zioneer reported at 21:35 on Saturday, his elimination was first disclosed. The military now specifies that the joint IDF-Shin Bet operation occurred "shilshom" — the day before yesterday, placing the strike on Thursday, June 25, or Friday, June 26.
The new details underscore Haniyeh's central role on October 7: he commanded a cell that infiltrated Israeli territory, took part in the invasion himself, and directed the abduction of Israeli civilians into Gaza. In recent weeks, the IDF says, he attempted to recruit new operatives for the Nukhba company under his command and led theoretical training for the unit. Haniyeh was the nephew of former Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, who was eliminated earlier.
The operation is part of the IDF's ongoing campaign to dismantle Hamas's Nukhba Force command structure. The announcement confirms the kill but does not specify the location or method of the strike, nor whether any civilians were harmed.
7 developments
- DevelopingHamas Nukhba operative Waleed Haniyeh buried amid gunfire and anti-Israel chants
- StrongFuneral of Ismail Haniyeh's nephew chants 'October 7th will return'
- DevelopingIDF strike kills Hamas cell leader in southern Gaza; 8 reported dead in tent camp attack
- DevelopingIDF strike kills third Hamas operative tied to hostage holding, security source says
Source and signal
- Internal intake