IDF Eliminates Hamas Financier in Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that Abdel Hay Zaqout, a senior financial operative for Hamas’s military wing, was killed in a targeted airstrike in Gaza City two weeks ago, alongside senior Hamas commander Ra’ad Sa’ad.

According to the IDF, Zaqout was a member of the finance department of the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades and played a central role in funding Hamas’s military activity. Over the past year, he was responsible for recruiting and transferring tens of millions of dollars to the organization, money used to support weapons production and attacks against Israel.

The strike was carried out as a joint operation by the IDF and the Shin Bet. At the time, the military announced the killing of Sa’ad, one of the most senior commanders in Hamas’s military hierarchy, who had been involved in efforts to rebuild Hamas’s weapons infrastructure.

The IDF said intelligence gathered after the strike confirmed that Zaqout was also killed in the attack.

The operation followed a Hamas attack on Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip involving an improvised explosive device, which lightly wounded two soldiers.

IDF Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee said Israel will continue to target not only Hamas commanders but also those responsible for sustaining the group financially.

“The IDF and the Shin Bet will continue to disrupt the financing of terrorism and act against anyone involved in planning or supporting terrorist attacks against the State of Israel,” he said.

Israeli officials described the strike as part of a broader campaign to dismantle Hamas’s military and financial networks. Hamas has not commented on Zaqout’s reported death.