October 7 Hamas Commander and Sniper Chief surrender to IDF in Rafah raid

In a significant development in Rafah, two senior Hamas operatives, including a platoon commander involved in the October 7, 2023, massacre, surrendered to Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) during a recent operation. The platoon commander, who oversaw the captivity of several Israeli hostages, later released, and a commander of Hamas’s sniper array were apprehended by the 188th Brigade under the 36th Division in Rafah’s Shabura neighbourhood. The operation, conducted a few weeks ago, marked a critical step in the IDF’s ongoing efforts to dismantle Hamas’s terrorist infrastructure in southern Gaza.

During the apprehension, IDF troops discovered multiple knives in the possession of the terrorists, indicating their potential for further violence. The surrendered operatives were interrogated by the Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service, and provided valuable intelligence regarding the locations of key terrorist infrastructure in Rafah. This information is expected to aid the IDF in targeting additional Hamas assets in the region, further weakening the group’s operational capabilities.

The IDF’s encirclement of Rafah, completed weeks ago, has intensified pressure on Hamas operatives in the area. The 188th Brigade Combat Team has been instrumental in these efforts, destroying dozens of weapons caches and terrorist facilities while eliminating numerous terrorists. The brigade continues to operate methodically, with plans to expand operations into other neighbourhoods to root out remaining Hamas elements.

The surrender of these high-ranking Hamas members underscores the IDF’s relentless pursuit of those responsible for the October 7 atrocities, which killed and abducted scores of Israelis. As operations in Rafah progress, the IDF remains focused on neutralizing threats, securing the release of any remaining hostages, and dismantling Hamas’s military network to ensure the safety of Israeli citizens.