IDF Eliminates October 7 Kidnapper and Senior Islamic Jihad Weapons Official in Gaza

The IDF Spokesperson announced on Thursday that the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) and the IDF carried out an airstrike in southern Gaza two days ago, eliminating terrorist Wahid Abu Salam, who previously served as commander of the western company in Khan Younis.

According to the IDF, Abu Salam infiltrated Israeli territory during the October 7 massacre, participated in the abduction of Israeli civilians to the Gaza Strip, and was also involved in holding hostages captive in southern Gaza.

The military said that in recent months Abu Salam had continued advancing terrorist activities, including efforts to restore weapons intended for attacks against IDF forces operating in the area. He was described as an immediate threat to Israeli troops and was eliminated in a precision airstrike.

The IDF also announced that on Wednesday it eliminated Rashid Al-Qadi, head of a department within the Palestinian Islamic Jihad's weapons production division, in southern Gaza. According to the military, Al-Qadi played a central role in the organization's weapons manufacturing network, which is responsible for producing and supplying arms to the group's military wing.

As part of his role, Al-Qadi oversaw efforts to manufacture weapons intended for attacks against IDF forces and Israeli civilians.

In a separate strike carried out Wednesday in northern Gaza, the IDF eliminated Abdullah Baha al-Din Razak al-Souti, a sniper operative in Hamas's military wing.