(Official release for publication: Thursday at 19:40)
In a joint statement released by the IDF Spokesperson and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), Israeli defense forces revealed that 11 terrorists who infiltrated Israeli territory and took part in the October 7 massacre have been eliminated in precision operations.
The announcement comes following the launch of Operation “Oz VeHerev” (“Might and Sword”) on March 18, 2025, led by the IDF Southern Command in collaboration with Military Intelligence, the Israeli Air Force, and Shin Bet. Nine of the terrorists were neutralized during this recent operation, while two were eliminated in targeted strikes prior to its commencement.
Among the high-profile terrorists killed in the operation are:
- Hassan Na’am, responsible for the kidnapping of Staff Sergeant Shaked Dahan z”l.
- Ismail Shaqshaq, who murdered Israeli civilians, threw grenades at a shelter near Re’im Junction, and launched a shoulder-fired missile within Israeli territory.
- Jalal Kara’an, who participated in the murder of Inbar Haiman z”l, stormed the Nova music festival site and military bases, killed two civilians, and shared footage of his crimes on social media.
- Muhammad Issa, who infiltrated Kibbutz Mefalsim and participated in the mass killing.
- Muhammad Shabakhi, Fares Karshin, Yahya Astal, Muhammad Zakr, and Muhammad Astal, all of whom crossed into Israeli territory and took part in the October 7 massacre, including attacks on civilian and military sites such as Kibbutz Nir Oz.
Two additional key terrorists were killed in earlier operations:
- Muhammad Atsfur, involved in attacks against the Southern Brigade Command Post during the mass abductions.
- Khaled Aldin, who used the belongings of Israeli civilians Arik and Hodaya Peretz z”l after killing them during the October 7 attacks.
The massacre on October 7, 2023, marked one of the most brutal terror attacks in Israeli history, during which Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists breached the border, killing over 1,200 civilians and soldiers and kidnapping hundreds.
The IDF and Shin Bet emphasized their unwavering commitment to tracking down and eliminating every individual who took part in the atrocities of that day. "We will continue to pursue and bring justice to all those who participated in the October 7 massacre," the statement concluded.
