Hamas Commander Eliminated: Shuli Har-Melech Killer Struck

Hamad Farah, a senior operative in Hamas's military wing and member of the notorious Silwad cell, was killed today in an Israeli airstrike on the Sheikh Ajlin neighborhood in southwestern Gaza City.

Farah was part of the terrorist cell that murdered six Israelis during the Second Intifada: Shuli Har-Melech, Esther Galia, Tzvi Goldstein, Staff Sergeant Elad Polak, Staff Sergeant Roy Yaakov Solomon, and First Sergeant Erez Idan.

Released in the 2011 prisoner exchange that freed Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, Farah immediately resumed terrorist activities. He survived multiple targeted killing attempts during Operation Protective Edge in 2014 and Operation Guardian of the Walls in 2021, and evaded Israeli forces throughout three years of the current war. An Israeli Air Force missile finally struck him today, inflicting fatal injuries. He died shortly after at a hospital.

Knesset Member Limor Son Har-Melech, widow of Shuli Har-Melech, responded to the elimination: "Another circle closed! Hamad Farah, a senior figure in Hamas's military wing and member of the Silwad cell that murdered my husband Shuli Har-Melech, was eliminated today in the Gaza Strip.

"Farah was involved in a series of murderous attacks, sentenced to three life sentences, but was released in the Shalit deal and deported to Gaza. Instead of paying for his crimes, he returned to terrorism and became a central figure in Hamas's West Bank headquarters, directing attacks in Judea and Samaria.

"Twenty-three years have passed since Shuli was murdered before my eyes. The pain does not fade and the longing does not ease, but today justice was done. Let every terrorist who murdered Jews know: even if released, even if he flees, and even if many years pass, the long arm of the people of Israel will reach him.

"Thank you to the IDF fighters and security forces who closed an important and painful circle today. May the memory of Shuli and all those murdered by the Silwad cell be blessed."