In a joint statement issued on Friday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) announced the elimination of Majdi Aqilan, a senior Hamas operative responsible for orchestrating the October 7 massacre at Kibbutz Nahal Oz. Aqilan served as the deputy commander of Hamas’ Shati Battalion and had continued to spearhead attacks against Israeli forces in northern and central Gaza since the October events.
The operation to target Aqilan was part of an extensive week-long campaign of Israeli Air Force (IAF) strikes on Hamas’ Shati Battalion. The campaign, which aimed to neutralise key figures in the battalion, resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking members involved in planning and executing terrorist activities.
Key Targets Eliminated
Alongside Aqilan, two other prominent Hamas operatives were killed in the airstrikes:
- Mamdouh Mehna: A senior member of Hamas’ tunnelling unit in Gaza, Mehna played a pivotal role in the October 7 assault and was instrumental in planning and constructing Hamas’ extensive network of tunnels. These tunnels have been used for smuggling, attacks, and the training of operatives.
- Ahmad Suwaidan: A company commander in the Shati Battalion, Suwaidan was directly involved in the abduction of Israeli civilians during the same assault.
The strikes are part of Israel’s broader military operations in response to the unprecedented Hamas attacks in October, which resulted in significant casualties and devastation, particularly in southern Israel.
October 7th Nahal Oz Massacre
The massacre at Nahal Oz, a kibbutz near the Gaza border, was one of the deadliest attacks on Israeli civilians in recent history. Hamas operatives infiltrated the kibbutz, killing dozens of residents and taking others hostage. The assault left scenes of widespread destruction, with survivors recounting harrowing details of the violence.
Since that day, Israeli forces have intensified their efforts to dismantle Hamas’ operational infrastructure in Gaza. The elimination of key figures such as Aqilan, Mehna, and Suwaidan is viewed as a significant step in reducing Hamas’ capacity to conduct further attacks.
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