The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed on Tuesday the elimination of senior Hamas commander Abd al-Hadi Sabah in a targeted drone strike. Sabah, a Nukhba Platoon Commander in Hamas’ Western Khan Yunis Battalion, was reportedly instrumental in orchestrating the October 7, 2023, attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz, which resulted in widespread casualties.
According to an official IDF statement, the strike that killed Sabah was carried out in southern Gaza’s Khan Yunis area.The operation, coordinated with Israel’s Security Agency (ISA), targeted Sabah based on precise intelligence.
The IDF’s statement, shared on X, described Sabah as one of the key figures behind the infiltration of Kibbutz Nir Oz during what it termed the “murderous October 7 Massacre.” Sabah was also accused of spearheading multiple attacks against IDF troops throughout the ongoing conflict.
“Abd al-Hadi Sabah, who operated from a shelter in the Humanitarian Area in Khan Yunis, was one of the leaders of the infiltration into Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7 Massacre,” the IDF’s post stated. “The IDF and ISA will continue to operate against all of the terrorists who took part in the October 7 massacre.”
The IDF also revealed that its forces, in collaboration with the Shin Bet (Israel’s General Security Service), recently eliminated 14 Hamas militants, six of whom were directly involved in the October 7 attack. These operations were executed under the command of the IDF’s 162nd “Steel” Division, which has been actively engaged in Gaza’s Jabalia and Beit Lahia regions.
The October 7 assault by Hamas marked one of the deadliest attacks in recent history, claiming over 1,200 Israeli lives and resulting in more than 250 hostages being taken. While efforts to secure the release of hostages continue, approximately 100 individuals remain in captivity, with many feared dead.
In retaliation, Israel launched a large-scale counteroffensive aimed at dismantling Hamas’ infrastructure in Gaza. The campaign, however, has led to significant civilian casualties, with Palestinian deaths exceeding 45,000, according to local reports. The rising humanitarian toll has prompted international calls for an immediate ceasefire.
