The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) jointly eliminated a senior terrorist responsible for the October 7 attacks and the abduction of Israeli civilian Yagil Yaakov during a precision strike in the southern Gaza Strip over the weekend.
Target Identified as Islamic Jihad Nukhba Commander
In a joint statement posted on Telegram on Sunday, the IDF identified the target as Zaki Youssef Mahmoud Abu Mustafa, who served as the Nukhba commander of the Khan Yunis Brigade of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization. According to the military, Abu Mustafa infiltrated Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7 massacre and participated in the abduction of Yagil Yaakov.
The IDF also released an image reportedly showing him inside Israeli territory during the kidnapping.
Role in Rebuilding Terrorist Capabilities
“Over the weekend (Friday), the IDF and ISA struck in the southern Gaza Strip and eliminated the terrorist Zaki Youssef Mahmoud Abu Mustafa, the Nukhba commander of the Khan Yunis Brigade of the Islamic Jihad terrorist organisation,” the IDF said. “In recent months, Abu Mustafa played a significant role in rebuilding the terrorist organisation's military capabilities in the Gaza Strip, in violation of the ceasefire agreement.”
The statement added that he was also involved in planning attacks against Israeli forces and attempted to organise militant training at Nasser Hospital, which the IDF accused him of exploiting for terrorist activity. “Due to his recent activities and the immediate threat he posed to IDF troops, Abu Mustafa was eliminated in a precise strike,” the military said.
Additional Hamas Operative Eliminated
In a separate operation, the IDF eliminated Hamas Nukhba operative Mohammed Osama Abd al-Aziz Saba al-Eish, who was reportedly engaged in recruiting militants and advancing training programmes for the group. The IDF stated that precautions were taken to minimise civilian harm, including the use of precision-guided munitions and aerial surveillance ahead of the strikes.
Troops under Southern Command remain deployed in Gaza in line with ceasefire arrangements and will continue operations against any imminent threats, the IDF said.
