Hamas Terrorist Who Took Part in October 7 Attack Killed in Gaza, Later Presented as a Journalist

Strikes in Gaza and Lebanon (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

The IDF announced Thursday morning that it had killed Mohammed Abd al-Aziz Mohammed Najar in southern Gaza. Najar was an operative in Hamas's military wing who took part in the raid into Israeli territory during the October 7 attack.

The strike that killed Najar was carried out yesterday in southern Gaza. The IDF noted that after he was killed, he was presented as a journalist, while his affiliation with Hamas's military wing was omitted. The IDF said Najar was involved in advancing terror plans aimed at harming IDF troops and Israeli civilians, while also working to restore the organization's capabilities. According to the military, these actions were carried out in systematic violation of the ceasefire agreement.

(קרדיט: דובר צה״ל)

The IDF stressed that before the strike was carried out, several measures were taken to reduce the risk of civilian harm as much as possible. These included the use of precision munitions and aerial surveillance before Najar was killed.

The killing came amid continued Israeli Air Force operations in Gaza and southern Lebanon. According to IDF figures, over the past month, the Air Force, guided by the regional commands and the Intelligence Directorate, struck more than 500 targets across the two fronts. In southern Lebanon, more than 370 Hezbollah targets were struck, while in Gaza, more than 140 Hamas targets were struck.

Targets struck in Gaza included three Hamas brigade commanders; terrorists who advanced terror plans and posed a threat to IDF troops; terrorists who took part in the October 7 raid and kidnappings; terrorists who held hostages; weapons storage facilities; and other targets belonging to the organization.