Hamas Commanders Killed
Israel Reports Killing Three Hamas Commanders Tied to October 7 Attacks
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Key Points
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Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said in late August that the military would continue “the hunt for the terrorists from October 7.” Israeli sources cited by The Times of Israel estimated that more than 2,000 suspected perpetrators remain in Gaza; about 2,700 have reportedly been killed and roughly 300 are being held in Israel.
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The strike that killed Muhammad Suleiman Bayouk reportedly took place on Thursday near Khan Younis and was confirmed by the IDF on Saturday. The military described him as a commander directing tactical field operations in southern Gaza.
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The IDF said Nael Abu Obeid had previously served as deputy commander of Hamas’s Rafah Brigade and had commanded the Tel al-Sultan and Yabna battalions before succeeding Muhammad Shabana as brigade commander.
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Ahmad Battash was identified by the IDF as commander of Hamas’s Jabalia Battalion and as the Northern Brigade’s logistics official responsible for supplying weapons and equipment to Hamas members in northern Gaza.
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The IDF said its latest operations also included strikes against Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon, extending the reported military activity beyond the Gaza Strip.
Israel killed three senior Hamas commanders in recent strikes across Gaza, the military said Saturday. Muhammad Suleiman Bayouk, accused of participating in the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, was struck near Khan Younis on Thursday. Two other commanders—Nael Abu Obeid of the Rafah Brigade and Ahmad Battash of northern operations—were also eliminated in separate recent operations IDF Statement.
The operations mark Israel's continued hunt for October 7 perpetrators despite a ceasefire technically in place since October 2025. Palestinian sources reported at least seven Palestinians killed in recent strikes, including a minor, though Palestinian health officials did not independently verify all identities. The strikes also extended to Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon Reuters.
Three Commanders Targeted in Recent Strikes
Muhammad Suleiman Bayouk commanded tactical field operations in southern Gaza for Hamas's military wing. The IDF said he infiltrated Israel on October 7 and planted explosives targeting Israeli troops. The Times of Israel reported that Israeli intelligence estimates show more than 2,000 suspected October 7 attackers remain in Gaza, while about 2,700 have been killed.
Nael Abu Obeid previously led the Tel al-Sultan and Yabna battalions before becoming Rafah Brigade commander. The IDF accused him of holding Israeli hostages, specifically tying him to holding remains of Lt. Hadar Goldin since 2014 IDF Spokesperson. Ahmad Battash commanded the Jabalia Battalion and oversaw weapon supplies to Hamas units in northern Gaza.
Israel's Continued Hunt for October 7 Attackers
Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said in late August that Israeli forces would continue "the hunt for the terrorists from October 7" regardless of operational limits Ynet. About 300 suspected perpetrators are currently held in Israeli custody. The military describes the operations as necessary to prevent attacks and disrupt Hamas's military rebuilding.
Israel maintains that targeted strikes remain permissible under the ceasefire framework when operatives actively attempt to re-arm or build explosive networks. ABC News reported that the Khan Younis strike was a joint operation between the IDF and Shin Bet intelligence agency, confirmed after three days of review.
Civilian Deaths Amid Ongoing Military Operations
Palestinian sources reported that at least seven Palestinians died in recent Israeli strikes across Gaza, including a minor. Local health officials noted civilian casualties in Jabalia and other northern areas, though identities were not independently verified by international monitors AP.
The strikes extended beyond Gaza into southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure. This expansion raises escalation risks as Israel simultaneously pursues operations across multiple fronts. Palestinian officials characterize the operations as violations of the October 2025 ceasefire Al Jazeera.
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