The Israeli military said Friday that the Hamas commander who oversaw the October 7 attack on Kibbutz Nahal Oz has been killed.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that Majdi Aqilan, commander of the Hamas Shati Battalion, was among several fighters killed during a week-long operation targeting his military unit.
It did not specify when exactly Aqilan was killed, but the attack was conducted via an airstrike.
According to the IDF, Aqilan oversaw the strike on Kibbutz Nahal Oz during Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack, in which 1 200 Israelis were killed and another 251 were taken hostage.
The IDF said in a report on the brutal attack that 66 soldiers defending a base in Nahal Oz were killed on October 7. A total of 15 civilians were also killed and eight more were taken hostage, during in the hours of fighting that day.
Following the October 7 strike, Aqilan participated in attacks targeting IDF forces in north and central Gaza, the statement said.
Mehdoh Mahana, who served as a senior member of the Hamas’ Gaza Brigade tunneling unit, was also killed during the week-long operation.
“Mahana raided Kibbutz Nahal Oz on October 7, as part of his duties he led the planning and construction of Hamas tunnels and the training of underground operatives,” the IDF statement said.
Ahmed Suidan, a Shatti Battalion company commander, was also killed, it said, stating he was involved in the kidnapping of Israeli citizens on October 7 and their transfer into Gaza.
“The seniors in the Shatti Battalion and the Gaza Brigade of the Hamas terrorist organisation were involved in terrorist plots against the citizens of the State of Israel and the IDF forces,” the IDF said in a statement.
“The Shin Bet and the IDF will continue to harm anyone who promotes and engages in terrorism against the citizens of the State of Israel.”
Approximately 100 hostages are believed to remain in Hamas captivity in Gaza.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, more than 44 500 people have been killed and more than 105 700 have been injured in Gaza during the war. (UPI)
