Hamas terrorists behind planned attacks in central Gaza, including October 7 infiltrator

The IDF and Shin Bet said they eliminated a Hamas terror cell in the central Gaza Strip that had been planning imminent attacks on Israeli troops operating in the area.

According to a joint statement released Friday night, the strike was carried out on Thursday by troops under the Southern Command acting on intelligence provided by the Shin Bet.

October 7 infiltrator among those killed

The military said one of the terrorists killed in the strike was Hazem Rami Ali Aidi, identified as a Hamas cell commander who infiltrated Israeli territory during the October 7 massacre.

Also killed was Ibrahim Mansour, whom the IDF described as a Hamas platoon commander who led numerous attacks on Israeli troops throughout the war and played a central role in the terror group’s force build-up and efforts to restore its capabilities in violation of the ceasefire agreement.

A third terrorist killed in the strike was Maher Tantawi, an operative in Hamas’s military intelligence unit, according to the statement.

IDF says cell was preparing imminent attacks

The IDF and Shin Bet said the cell had been planning to carry out terror attacks against troops operating in the central Gaza Strip.

The military said the strike was carried out after intelligence and operational monitoring identified the threat.

Measures taken before strike

According to the IDF, steps were taken before the strike to reduce the risk of harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and aerial surveillance.

The military said Southern Command troops remain deployed in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and will continue operating to remove immediate threats.