IDF Eliminates Hamas Commanders, Disrupts Terrorist Financing Network

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Friday the successful targeting and elimination of multiple Hamas operatives, including a platoon commander and a terrorist involved in holding hostages. The operations aimed to disrupt the organization's capabilities and financing networks.

In the Nuseirat area of Gaza, Ibrahim Fawzi Ismail Mohsen, identified as a platoon commander in Hamas’s Nukhba Force, was killed. The IDF stated that Mohsen and an additional terrorist, Mohammed Kamel Suleiman Mohsen, eliminated in the Khan Yunis area, were targeted due to their involvement in attacks against IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians, and for working to restore the terrorist organization's capabilities in violation of ceasefire terms.

Earlier in the week, the IDF reported the elimination of Hassan Mahmoud Siam, a commander in Hamas's military wing, in the Gaza City area on Wednesday. According to the IDF, Siam was involved in holding hostages Dafna Elyakim, Keith and Aviva Siegel, and Amit Soussana during the war. He had also infiltrated Israel during the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre in the northwestern Negev and participated in holding hostages in Gaza.

On Thursday, Adham Sabhi Salim Ziara, another operative in Hamas’s military wing, was killed in the same area. The IDF stated that Siam and Ziara were involved in shooting attacks against IDF troops and planting explosive devices, also in violation of ceasefire terms.

Disruption of Hamas Financing

The IDF also reported striking Hamas operatives involved in financing the organization. In the Deir al-Balah area, Jabr Moqbel, identified as a Hamas commander who led a money exchange network transferring millions of shekels to the organization, was eliminated. The IDF stated this funding was used for wages, military infrastructure restoration, and operations against Israeli troops.

Simultaneously, Hasan al-Batta, identified as a sniper in Hamas’s military wing, was targeted and killed in the Khan Yunis area.

These actions are part of a broader effort by the IDF and the Israeli Security Agency (Shin Bet) to degrade Hamas's financing capabilities. As of Thursday, the IDF reported eliminating 16 key Hamas terrorists involved in money exchange and financing, with collective revenue exceeding $1 billion. These individuals managed fund transfers for the organization's military activities through a network of money changers in Turkey and Gaza.

The security bodies identified Ibrahim Abu Shamala, the financial officer of Hamas's military wing, and Mohammed Abu Alwan, responsible for the political wing's funds, as two of the most senior figures eliminated. Additionally, heads of fund-transfer networks, including Khader Jamasi, Ihab Khraizem, and Hussein Qadra, who managed fund offsetting and transfers for Hamas, have also been targeted.

The IDF and Shin Bet emphasized their ongoing operations to prevent the restoration of Hamas's infrastructure and military capabilities by targeting its network of money exchangers. They issued a warning to Gaza residents involved in facilitating or financing Hamas's military activities, stating that such individuals are lawful targets.

Hostage-Holding Commander Eliminated

In a separate operation on Thursday, the IDF announced the elimination of Mahmoud Abd al-Fattah Awad, a Hamas commander accused of holding seven hostages in a Gaza tunnel during the war. The military stated Awad was responsible for holding Karina Ariev, Ziv Berman, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, Omri Miran, Eitan Mor, and Doron Steinbrecher. Awad was killed in an airstrike in the Gaza City area over the weekend. The IDF noted that he had recently been planning terrorist attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians and was working to rebuild Hamas's capabilities, in violation of the ceasefire.

The IDF also reported dismantling a two-kilometer-long underground terror tunnel within the Yellow Line area as part of ongoing efforts to clear terrorist infrastructure in Israeli-controlled areas of Gaza.