Israeli army reports elimination of Hamas air force chief in Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has announced the elimination of Nidal Al-Najar, the head of Hamas' aerial unit, in the Gaza Strip.

"In a joint IDF and ISA precise operation on December 3, 2024, the terrorist Nidal Al-Najar, Head of Hamas' Aerial Unit in Gaza City and head of Hamas' Aerial Defence Unit in Gaza, was eliminated," the IDF press service said, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

The army added that "throughout the war, Al-Najar was one of the leaders of the attacks against the State of Israel and IDF troops operating in central Gaza, including by means of explosive drone and UAV attacks toward IDF troops."

The IDF will "continue to target anyone who took part in terror activities against Israeli civilians and IDF troops," the military concluded.

Al-Najar was one of the key figures behind the October 7, 2023, airstrike on southern Israel, which marked the beginning of the ongoing conflict. The IDF, in collaboration with the General Security Service (Shabak), carried out the operation.

This follows previous targeted eliminations of key Hamas figures. On November 1, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) killed senior Hamas official Izz al-Din Kassab, in an airstrike in Gaza.

Additionally, on October 17, the IDF eliminated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

By Vafa Guliyeva