IDF troops working in close cooperation with the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) killed several Hamas terrorists who took part in hostage-taking on October 7, 2023, and were planning imminent attacks against Israeli forces in central Gaza, the IDF said in a statement on Sunday.
The incident took place Saturday as an "armed Hamas terrorist cell" approached the Yellow Line in Gaza and planned to carry out "an imminent terror attack" against Israeli troops in the area, the military said.
Following further intelligence analysis, the IDF confirmed that those killed included Ali Sami Mohammad Shakra, a Nukhba unit commander who infiltrated Israel during the October 7 attacks and took part in the kidnapping of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alon Ohel, Eliya Cohen, and Or Levy from a roadside shelter near Kibbutz Re’im. Goldberg-Polin was executed by his captors, while Ohel, Cohen, and Levy were released in different stages.
Also killed in the strike were Mohammad Mabhouh, a company commander in Hamas’s al-Bureij battalion, and Mohammad Fuad Jaser Sayyid. The IDF said both were involved in holding Israeli hostage Avinatan Or in captivity. Or was released by Hamas on October 13, 2025, after 738 days in captivity.
The military released an image of Sayyed inside a Hamas tunnel, where he can be seen guarding the hostage.
Saturday exchange sees additional Nukhba terrorists killed
The IDF said additional Hamas Nukhba terrorists were killed in the exchange of fire over the weekend, including members of units responsible for launching rockets toward Israeli territory.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir has said Gaza's Yellow Line is Israel's de facto new border while visiting IDF reservists deployed in Gaza in December.
"We will not allow Hamas to reestablish itself. We have operational control over extensive parts of the Gaza Strip, and we will remain on those defense lines," Zamir said at the time.
Since the ceasefire took effect in October last year, Hamas and Israel have repeatedly accused each other of violating its terms. Israel has repeatedly stated that it would not allow Hamas to maintain weapons in any future agreement that ends all hostilities.
The terror group claimed last week that discussing disarmament before the first phase of the US-brokered Gaza ceasefire deal is fully implemented is an attempt to continue “a genocide against the Palestinian people.” The issue remains a major obstacle in talks to implement US President Donald Trump’s proposed "Board of Peace" plan for Gaza.
Reuters contributed to this report.