Israel strikes Gaza, kills key Nukhba terrorist behind October 7 attack

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) successfully targeted and killed Muhammad Al-Hisham Zahdi Abu al-Rous, a senior Nukhba terrorist involved in the October 7 massacre, during a series of airstrikes in Gaza.

The IDF confirmed on January 16 evening that Abu al-Rous, who participated in the horrific assault on the Nova Music Festival, infiltrated Israel as part of the terrorist attack, Caliber.Az reports citing Israeli media.

The airstrikes, which took place over the past day, also struck approximately 50 terror sites across Gaza. These included positions used by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) operatives. The strikes targeted military facilities, weapons storage depots, rocket launch sites, and observation posts.

The IDF reported that the strikes successfully eliminated several high-ranking members of Hamas and PIJ, in addition to damaging key infrastructure used by these terror organizations, including weapon manufacturing sites and storage facilities.

The operation is part of ongoing efforts by Israel to dismantle Hamas and PIJ's military capabilities in Gaza following the October 7 attacks, which resulted in a significant loss of life and widespread devastation. The IDF continues to carry out operations aimed at neutralizing terrorists and preventing future attacks.

Israel-Hamas War, war between Israel and Palestinian militants, especially Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a land, sea, and air assault on Israel from the Gaza Strip.

The October 7 attack resulted in more than 1,200 deaths, primarily Israeli citizens, making it the deadliest day for Israel since its independence. 

More than 240 people were taken hostage during the attack. The next day, Israel declared itself in a state of war for the first time since the Yom Kippur War in 1973. The war began with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducting air strikes on the Gaza Strip, followed weeks later by the incursion of ground troops and armored vehicles.

By Vafa Guliyeva