Israel eliminates Islamic Jihad commander involved in October 7 attack

A Palestinian Islamic Jihad commander who took part in the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel was killed in a strike in the central Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces said.

According to the military, the strike killed Ali Qaid Mohammed Stitan, identified as a platoon commander in the elite Nukhba forces of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

“Ali Qaid infiltrated Israeli territory during the October 7 massacre,” the IDF said, adding that during the war and in recent weeks he attempted to advance attacks on Israeli troops and civilians.

“The terrorist posed a threat to our troops operating in the Gaza Strip and was eliminated in a precise aerial strike,” the military added.

The IDF said Stitan is the second individual linked to the October 7 attacks whose death in a strike it announced on June 30.

In recent months, the Israeli military has intensified strikes against militant operatives in Gaza, including individuals it says were involved in the October 7 attacks, arguing they continue to pose a threat to its forces.

By Vafa Guliyeva