IDF eliminates Hamas terrorist who held 4 hostages captive

The IDF announced Thursday it eliminated two Hamas terrorists operating against Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip. Among those killed was a terrorist who, according to the IDF, participated in the October 7 massacre and was involved in holding Israeli hostages captive.

According to the IDF Spokesperson, Hassan Mahmoud Ziyam, a commander in Hamas's military wing, was killed in a strike carried out earlier this week (Wednesday) in Gaza City. The IDF stated that Ziyam infiltrated Israeli territory during the October 7 attack, and throughout the war was involved in holding hostages Amit Soussana, Keith Siegel, Aviva Siegel and Dafna Elyakim in the Gaza Strip.

In a separate strike carried out earlier in the week (Tuesday) in the same area, Adham Sabhi Salim Ziyara, another operative in Hamas's military wing, was also eliminated.

The IDF reported that in recent weeks, both terrorists were advancing terror plots against IDF forces and Israeli civilians, while simultaneously working to rebuild Hamas's capabilities in systematic violation of the ceasefire agreement.

The military added that the two were involved in firing attacks on IDF forces and planting explosives in the Yellow Line area. The IDF emphasized that the strikes were carried out from the air in order to remove the immediate threat they posed.

The army added that IDF forces in the Southern Command remain deployed in the area in accordance with the agreement, and will continue to act to remove any immediate threat to security forces and Israeli civilians.