By DAYO ADESULU
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says it has eliminated two Hamas Nukhba operatives in separate strikes in northern Gaza, including a commander who allegedly infiltrated the Erez Crossing during the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
The IDF said Sharif Shadi Ibrahim Labad was killed in a strike on Tuesday, September 15, in northern Gaza. According to the Israeli military, Labad was a member of Hamas’ Nukhba force and had participated in the assault on the Erez Crossing during the October 7 attack.
The military said another Nukhba commander, identified as Yusuf Saad Al-Din Rashad Zaim, was eliminated in a separate strike on Monday, September 14.
The two operations were announced by the IDF on Thursday, September 17, as Israeli forces continued operations in Gaza amid a ceasefire agreement.
IDF Identifies October 7 Erez Crossing Attacker
According to the IDF, Labad was among the Hamas Nukhba operatives who infiltrated Israeli territory during the October 7 attack.
The military said he entered the Erez Crossing area during the assault. The Erez Crossing, located between northern Gaza and Israel, became one of several points targeted during the Hamas-led attack in 2023.
The IDF released a photograph that it said showed Labad at the Erez Crossing during the October 7 attack.
The military described Labad as a Nukhba operative in Hamas’ military wing and said his recent activities involved efforts to advance further attacks against Israeli forces and civilians.
Second Nukhba Commander Also Killed
In a separate operation earlier in the week, the IDF said it eliminated Yusuf Saad Al-Din Rashad Zaim, whom it identified as a Nukhba commander in Hamas’ military wing.
The Israeli military said both men had recently been involved in activities aimed at advancing attacks against IDF troops and Israeli civilians.
It also accused the two operatives of working to rebuild Hamas’ operational capabilities in violation of the ceasefire.
The IDF said the strikes were carried out to remove what it described as an immediate threat posed by the two operatives.
IDF Says Strikes Were Conducted With Civilian Protection Measures
The Israeli military said it took measures before the strikes to reduce the potential risk to civilians.
According to the IDF, those measures included the use of precision munitions and aerial surveillance.
The military also said troops operating under the Southern Command remain deployed in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and will continue operations aimed at addressing what it considers immediate threats.
The IDF’s account, however, comes amid continuing scrutiny of Israeli military operations in Gaza and reports of civilian casualties.
Reports of Civilian Harm Under Review
Reporting by The Times of Israel said Palestinian media reported that a child was also killed in the Tuesday strike that targeted Labad.
The IDF said it was aware of reports that an uninvolved individual had been harmed and stated that the incident was under review.
The military said it regretted harm to uninvolved individuals and maintained that it makes efforts to minimize civilian casualties.
The Guardian subsequently reported that witnesses and weapons experts examined footage connected to the strike and identified the person killed as a 15-year-old boy. The publication said the IDF maintained that Labad was a Hamas operative involved in the October 7 attack and that the military was investigating reports of civilian harm.
These accounts underscore the difficulty of independently verifying battlefield claims, particularly in Gaza, where access and information remain contested.
Who Were the Nukhba Forces?
The Nukhba, also spelled Nukbha or Nukhba Force, is an elite unit associated with Hamas’ military wing.
The group played a prominent role in the October 7, 2023 attack, according to Israeli military and intelligence accounts. Hamas-led attackers crossed from Gaza into southern Israel, attacking communities and military positions and taking hostages.
Since the outbreak of the war, Israeli forces have repeatedly targeted Hamas commanders and Nukhba operatives, particularly those accused of participating in the October 7 attack or planning subsequent attacks.
The latest strikes are part of that continuing Israeli effort.
Ceasefire Remains a Key Point of Dispute
The IDF said the two operatives had acted in “systematic” violation of the ceasefire by advancing attacks and attempting to restore Hamas’ capabilities.
The military therefore presented the strikes as operations intended to remove immediate security threats while Israeli troops remain deployed under the terms of the agreement.
However, the circumstances surrounding individual strikes remain subject to competing accounts, particularly where civilian casualties are reported.
For that reason, claims made by military authorities about specific targets and battlefield activity should be distinguished from independently established facts.
Why This Matters
The elimination of Sharif Shadi Ibrahim Labad carries significance because of the IDF’s claim that he was directly involved in the October 7 attack at the Erez Crossing.
It also illustrates how the legacy of the October 7 assault continues to shape Israeli military operations in Gaza nearly three years later.
The second strike, targeting Nukhba commander Yusuf Saad Al-Din Rashad Zaim, further demonstrates the continued focus on Hamas’ military leadership and efforts to prevent the rebuilding of its operational capabilities.
At the same time, reports of civilian harm highlight the continuing humanitarian and legal scrutiny surrounding Israeli strikes in Gaza.
What Happens Next?
The IDF says its Southern Command forces will remain deployed in the area under the terms of the existing agreement.
The military has also indicated that it will continue acting against what it considers immediate threats.
Meanwhile, the reported civilian casualty linked to the Labad strike remains an important issue for further investigation and verification.
As developments continue, the competing military, Palestinian and independent accounts will remain important in assessing what occurred during the latest operations.
Conclusion
The IDF says it has eliminated two Hamas Nukhba operatives in separate northern Gaza strikes, identifying Sharif Shadi Ibrahim Labad as an operative who infiltrated the Erez Crossing during the October 7, 2023 attack and Yusuf Saad Al-Din Rashad Zaim as a Nukhba commander.
The military says both men were involved in advancing attacks and rebuilding Hamas capabilities during the ceasefire.
However, reports of civilian harm in the Labad strike have added another layer of scrutiny, with the IDF saying the matter is under review.
The developments therefore remain significant both for Israel’s stated security objectives and for the broader humanitarian concerns surrounding military operations in Gaza.
