The Israel Defense Forces eliminated a Hamas platoon commander in the Gaza Strip today, the military confirmed. The operative was among those who infiltrated Israeli territory during the October 7, 2023, massacre. No further details about the target or the location of the strike have been released.
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed Thursday morning, at 11:03 Jerusalem, that a precise aerial strike in the northern Gaza Strip eliminated Nihad Riyad Abd al-Rahim Arouq, a Hamas platoon commander in the Shati Battalion who infiltrated Israeli territory during the October 7, 2023, massacre. The military stated that in recent months Arouq trained terrorists and attempted to advance attacks against Israeli forces and civilians.
The confirmation followed initial reports from Palestinian media outlets earlier Thursday, which reported that a strike in the Gaza port area killed a man identified as Nihad Riyad Aruk, described as a terrorist. The Palestinian reports included an emotional farewell from his brother. The IDF initially did not comment before officially confirming the strike and identifying the target with additional details about his role in the October 7 infiltration and subsequent activities.
The elimination is part of the IDF's ongoing campaign against Hamas operatives who participated in the October 7 attack. As The Zioneer reported on June 25, the IDF eliminated another Oct 7 infiltrator, Akram Muhammad Mahmoud Abu Mazi, who was attempting to rebuild Hamas's capabilities. On June 28, the IDF eliminated a Hamas operative who infiltrated on Oct 7, without releasing the name. The military has described the campaign as a priority target set.
The IDF has not disclosed the exact location of the strike beyond the northern Gaza Strip, nor the specific nature of the threat Arouq posed in recent weeks. The identity of the operative has been confirmed, but further details on his activities remain under review.
5 developments
- DevelopingIDF announces elimination of Hamas platoon commander from Shati battalion who infiltrated on Oct. 7
- DevelopingIDF eliminates Hamas operative who infiltrated Israel on October 7
- StrongIDF eliminates Islamic Jihad Nukhba commander who infiltrated on Oct. 7
- StrongIDF eliminates Hamas Oct. 7 infiltrator who was rebuilding terror capabilities in Gaza
Source and signal
- Internal intake