Hani Abd al-Hai Fakhri Mazloum
Hani Abd al-Hai Fakhri Mazloum was a company commander in Hamas's elite Nukhba Force. He was eliminated by the IDF in August 2026 after being identified as an immediate threat to Israeli forces operating in the Gaza Strip.
Hani Abd al-Hai Fakhri Mazloum served as a company commander within the Nukhba Force, the elite commando wing of Hamas's military arm, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. The Nukhba Force is notorious for spearheading the October 7, 2023, massacre and specializes in naval operations, cross-border infiltrations, and high-intensity urban warfare. Mazloum's role as a company commander placed him in a significant tactical position within the organization's remaining military hierarchy in Gaza.
On Sunday, August 30, 2026, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the elimination of Mazloum alongside Hassan Zidan Hassan Deiri, a sniper in Hamas's military wing. According to military statements, both operatives posed an immediate and direct threat to Israeli ground forces. The targeted strike is part of the ongoing IDF campaign to systematically dismantle the command structure of Hamas and its specialized units, which continue to attempt tactical ambushes and guerrilla-style resistance against Israeli security operations.
The elimination of mid-to-high-level field commanders like Mazloum is a key component of Israel's security-first strategy to degrade Hamas's operational cohesion. By removing experienced Nukhba officers, the IDF aims to reduce the effectiveness of local terror cells and prevent coordinated attacks on both military personnel and Israeli civilian communities near the border. Mazloum's death highlights the persistent intelligence-led targeting of those responsible for maintaining Hamas's combat readiness during the prolonged conflict.