The IDF announced Sunday morning that it killed Salem Jamal Abd al-Rahman Abu Labad, a Hamas Nukhba cell commander who infiltrated Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, in a strike in southern Gaza on Saturday. A separate strike on Friday in central Gaza killed Muhammad Abd al-Nasser Muhammad Khatib, a commander in Hamas's Maghazi Battalion. The military said both operatives were advancing attacks on troops and were eliminated in 'precise aerial strikes to remove the threat.'
Sunday morning — The IDF confirmed the elimination of two Hamas commanders in separate strikes over the weekend, including a Nukhba cell head who infiltrated Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023. The military said both operatives were actively planning attacks on Israeli troops, justifying the strikes amid the ongoing ceasefire as 'precise aerial strikes to remove the threat.'
The Zioneer reported earlier Sunday (08:49) that the strikes had already taken place: Salem Jamal Abd al-Rahman Abu Labad was hit on Saturday in southern Gaza, and Muhammad Abd al-Nasser Muhammad Khatib was struck on Friday in central Gaza. Today's announcement adds the IDF's operational rationale and direct quotes.
The eliminations continue the IDF's stated policy of pursuing all perpetrators of the October 7 massacre, even during the ceasefire. At least five Nukhba commanders involved in the Nir Oz infiltration have been killed in recent weeks, according to military announcements.
2 developments
- StrongN12: IDF eliminated Nukhba cell head who infiltrated Kibbutz Nir Oz on Oct. 7
- StrongIDF kills Hamas cell commander who took part in October 7 abduction of three from Nir Oz
- DevelopingIDF kills Nukhba cell commander who led Kisufim infiltration on Oct. 7, additional Hamas operatives
- StrongIDF eliminates Nukhba commander who infiltrated on Oct. 7 and looted an IDF vehicle
Source and signal
- Open-source intake