The Israel Defense Forces executed a targeted airstrike in the Deir al-Balah area over the weekend, eliminating Mahmud Fatayer, a senior Nukhba commander in the Central Camps Brigade of Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Military officials confirmed that Fatayer actively participated in the October 7 invasion of Israeli territory, held Israeli hostage Rom Braslavski in captivity, and appeared in published footage managing hostage handover ceremonies.
Fatayer was documented in uniform during the sixth phase of Operation Heaven's Doors, overseeing the public transfer of multiple hostages. Those documented in the transfers included Amit Shani, Ofir Engel, Moran Stella Yanai, Itay Regev, Liam Or, Raz Ben Ami, and foreign nationals Paiboon Rattanin, Gong Sae Lao, Jakrapan Seakena, and Charoenchai Saeyang.
Military officials stated that Fatayer actively worked to rebuild Palestinian Islamic Jihad operational structures and recruit personnel during recent operational pauses.
"In recent times, the terrorist attempted to advance terrorist schemes against IDF forces and citizens of the State of Israel and was eliminated to remove the threat," the IDF Spokesperson's Unit stated in an official release.
The strike on Fatayer aligns with concurrent precision operations conducted by Southern Command across the Gaza Strip aimed at removing immediate tactical threats. Recent operations also resulted in the elimination of Omar Ahmad Abu Qasam, a senior sniper operative, alongside senior Nukhba commanders Ali Shamlach and Nasser Luh, who were actively training operatives for future hostile actions.
According to statements provided to Kikar HaShabbat, Israeli defense officials emphasized that counterterrorism operations will continue against all individuals who participated in the October 7 attacks and subsequent hostage detentions.
