Jerusalem: The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), supported by Shin Bet intelligence, confirmed today that they have eliminated As’ad Abu Shari’a, the head of the Palestinian Mujahideen Brigades, in an airstrike on Gaza City. Abu Shari’a was reportedly linked to the horrific October 7, 2023, assault on Israel, notably involving the fatal raid on Nir Oz kibbutz, where over 47 civilians were killed and 76 kidnapped.

In a separate operation, IDF forces also targeted Mahmoud Muhammad Hamid Kuhail, another senior Mujahideen commander connected to the same October attack. Although Palestinian militant groups have not yet issued a statement, Israel’s announcement signals progress in its campaign to dismantle militant leadership in Gaza.

The IDF highlighted Abu Shari’a’s involvement in planning and aiding the abductions and murders of civilians during the October 7 atrocities. Among those taken hostage were Israeli-Americans Judi and Gad Haggai and Thai farmworker Nattapong Pinta, whose remains were recently recovered. The seizure of Nir Oz had profound repercussions: dozens were killed, and only four hostages are known to have survived.

These airstrikes come amid ongoing Israeli operations across Gaza to neutralize Hamas and allied militant networks, including the Mujahideen Brigade. These efforts have uncovered extensive underground tunnels, military command centers, and weapons caches—such as those found beneath Khan Yunis’s European Hospital. Meanwhile, an estimated 95 Palestinians have been killed in the last 24 hours alone, including civilians at aid distribution sites.

The IDF and Shin Bet have reiterated their determination to pursue and dismantle militant networks responsible for the October 7 attack and the continued captivity of hostages. As operations escalate across Gaza, international observers continue to express concern over mounting civilian casualties and the deepening humanitarian crisis.