Captured on Camera: IDF Eliminates Terrorists Who Kidnapped Hersh Goldberg-Polin
Israeli forces have successfully eliminated a Hamas terror cell in central Gaza, including the Nukhba commander responsible for the abduction of Hersh Goldberg-Polin and several other hostages from a bomb shelter on October 7.
The IDF and the Shin Bet security service announced the successful elimination of a Hamas terror cell in central Gaza on Saturday, targeting individuals directly responsible for the kidnapping and captivity of Israeli civilians. Among those killed was Ali Sami Muhammad Shakra, a platoon commander in the elite Nukhba force who led the assault on the Re'im bomb shelter during the October 7 massacre. The operation, carried out by the Gaza Division, also neutralized several other high ranking terrorists who were actively planning an immediate attack against Israeli forces operating near the "Yellow Line," a strategic security boundary within the strip.
Justice for the Hostages
The precision strike targeted a cell of armed Hamas members as they approached Israeli positions. Following an intelligence investigation, the military confirmed that Shakra was a primary participant in the abduction of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alon Ohel, Eliya Cohen, and Or Levy. These men were taken from a roadside bomb shelter near the site of the Nova music festival, where many sought refuge during the initial terrorist onslaught. The military also confirmed the deaths of Muhammad Mabhouh, an Al-Bureij battalion company commander, and Muhammad Fuad Gasser Said, both of whom were involved in the captivity of Avinatan Or.
To underscore the significance of the operation, the IDF released a photograph of Said, documenting him as a Hamas platoon commander holding Avinatan Or captive inside a tunnel network. The strike also resulted in the deaths of additional Nukhba terrorists who had been responsible for launching rockets into Israeli territory. Military officials emphasized that the Gaza Division remains deployed according to current agreements but will continue to act decisively to remove any immediate threats. This operation provides a measure of closure for the families of the victims, as the IDF continues to track down and eliminate every individual who participated in the atrocities of October 7.