IDF Says Hamas Nukhba Commander and Sniper Killed in Northern Gaza

The IDF announced Saturday evening that two terrorists from the Hamas terror organization were killed in a strike carried out Friday in northern Gaza. According to the military, the two had recently been working to advance terror plots against IDF forces and Israeli civilians.

According to the IDF Spokesperson’s announcement, the strike killed Hani Abd al-Hai Fakhri Mazloum, who served as a Hamas Nukhba unit commander. Also killed was Hassan Zeidan Hassan Diri, who served as a sniper in the organization’s military wing.

The IDF said that beyond their operational roles, the two were also involved in trading and supplying weapons to Hamas terrorists in Gaza. According to the announcement, Mazloum and Diri had recently been advancing terror plots intended to harm IDF forces and Israeli citizens. In addition, the two worked to rebuild Hamas’s capabilities.

On Friday, the IDF, the Israel Security Agency, and the Yamam police counterterror unit killed Qais Bitawi, considered one of the senior Hamas operatives in the area, in an airstrike in Jenin. Two additional accomplices who were in the targeted vehicle were also killed alongside him.

According to security forces, Bitawi played a central role in Hamas activity in the area and was involved in directing, financing, and advancing attacks against Israeli civilians and security forces. As part of his activities, he was also in contact with Hamas operatives in Gaza and outside it.

The operation was carried out following intelligence surveillance and information indicating that one of the targets was preparing to carry out an attack. An Israeli Air Force aircraft struck the car in which the three were traveling, and weapons were also found in the vehicle during subsequent searches.