By DAYO ADESULU
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have announced the elimination of a Hamas military wing commander accused of participating in the detention of seven Israeli civilians who were held hostage in an underground tunnel in the Gaza City area.
According to the IDF, the strike took place over the weekend in the Gaza City area and targeted Mahmoud Abd al-Fattah Awad, described by the Israeli military as a commander in Hamas’ military wing.
The IDF said Awad had been involved throughout the war in holding seven Israeli hostages — Daniella Gilboa, Karina Ariev, Doron Steinbrecher, Naama Levy, Ziv Berman, Omri Miran and Eitan Mor.
IDF Identifies Hamas Commander Linked To Hostage Detention
In a statement, the IDF said Awad was involved in keeping the seven hostages inside an underground tunnel in the Gaza City area.
The military said his activities extended beyond hostage detention, alleging that he had recently planned and advanced attacks targeting Israeli civilians and IDF troops.
The IDF further accused Awad of working to restore Hamas’ military capabilities, describing the activities as a systematic violation of the ceasefire agreement.
“Recently the terrorist planned and advanced terror attacks against IDF troops and Israeli civilians,” the military said.
The IDF added that the strike was carried out to remove what it described as an immediate threat posed by the Hamas commander.
Airstrike Targeted Hamas Commander
According to the Israeli military, Awad was eliminated in an aerial strike.
The IDF said it took measures before the operation to reduce the potential risk to civilians in the area.
These measures, according to the statement, included the deployment of precise munitions and aerial surveillance.
The military did not provide further details about the circumstances of the strike or independently verified information about possible casualties beyond its stated target.
Seven Hostages Named By IDF
The IDF identified the seven Israeli civilians allegedly held by Awad during the war as:
- Daniella Gilboa
- Karina Ariev
- Doron Steinbrecher
- Naama Levy
- Ziv Berman
- Omri Miran
- Eitan Mor
Their names have been associated with the wider hostage crisis arising from the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza.
The IDF’s latest statement places the Hamas commander among those it says were directly involved in the detention of some of the Israeli hostages.
Southern Command Troops Remain Deployed
The IDF said its troops under the Southern Command remain deployed in the area in accordance with the existing agreement.
The military said its forces would continue operating against what it describes as immediate threats while maintaining their deployment under the terms of the agreement.
The latest announcement comes amid continuing tensions surrounding the implementation of the ceasefire and the status of armed groups operating in Gaza.
The IDF’s account represents the Israeli military’s description of the incident. Independent verification of the specific allegations against Awad and the circumstances surrounding the strike was not provided in the statement.
Why This Matters
The reported elimination of a Hamas commander allegedly connected to the detention of seven Israeli hostages highlights the continuing security challenges surrounding Gaza despite the ceasefire framework.
