The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Thursday that a Hamas squad commander and sniper involved in the Oct. 7 massacre in was killed in a targeted strike in northern Gaza.
Ahmed Hassan Salame Alsauarka was eliminated in a “precise and targeted” airstrike by the Israeli Air Force in the Beit Hanoun area, the IDF stated.
Alsauarka served as a squad commander in Hamas’ Nukhba Forces, responsible for attacks in southern Israel during the Oct. 7 massacre.
He also led and directed sniper operations in the area where he was killed and participated in Hamas’ attacks on IDF troops, according to the IDF.
The on Alsauarka was executed following intelligence gathered by the IDF and the Israeli Security Agency.
After extensive efforts to locate him and minimize civilian casualties, the IDF identified Alsauarka and subsequently neutralized him. The military confirmed that no civilians were injured during the strike.
Israeli troops continue their operations in the central Gaza Strip, the military reported. Over the past day, an IDF aerial and artillery strike targeted a mortar shell launch post, and two terrorists were eliminated using an Iron Sting precision missile.
The IDF indicated that troops remain in the Rafah area conducting “precise, intelligence-based, operational activity.”
have been killed in “close-quarters encounters” over the past 24 hours, and targeted raids have uncovered rocket launchers and other weapons, the IDF stated regarding the activity in Rafah.
‘ Yonat Friling contributed to this report.