Nukhba Force
The Nukhba Force is the elite naval and commando wing of Hamas's military arm, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. It served as the primary spearhead for the October 7, 2023, massacre, specializing in cross-border infiltration, abductions, and high-intensity urban combat.
The Nukhba Force (Arabic for 'Elite') represents the most highly trained and well-equipped tier of Hamas's military infrastructure. Historically focused on naval sabotage and specialized raids, the unit's mandate expanded significantly in the years leading up to the October 7, 2023, attack. Its operatives are selected through rigorous screening and undergo specialized training in diving, sniping, and anti-tank warfare, often utilizing sophisticated tunnel networks for concealment and maneuver.
During the October 7 massacre, Nukhba units led the breach of the Gaza security fence, targeting Israeli communities and military bases including Kibbutz Nir Oz, Nirim, and the Re'im military base. The unit was specifically tasked with the execution of mass killings and the systematic abduction of Israeli civilians and soldiers into the Gaza Strip. Since the commencement of the IDF's ground maneuver, the Nukhba Force has transitioned from an offensive raiding force to a decentralized guerrilla network, attempting to conduct ambushes and maintain tactical command over local Hamas cells.
Israeli security forces, including the IDF and Shin Bet, have prioritized the systematic elimination of the Nukhba leadership and its rank-and-file operatives. Recent operations have targeted key figures such as Waleed Haniyeh (a deputy company commander) and sector commanders like Abd al-Fattah Abu al-Aish. Despite significant degradation of its command structure, the unit continues to attempt recruitment and reconstitution of its capabilities. The IDF's ongoing campaign focuses on neutralizing these 'immediate threats' while ensuring that no operative involved in the October 7 atrocities remains active. The unit's reliance on civilian infrastructure for operational cover remains a central challenge in the ongoing conflict.