From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
IDF confirms assassination of senior Hamas commander in Gaza
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
The IDF confirms the assassination of senior Hamas member Ayman Nofal, a member of the terror group’s General Military Council and commander of the Central Gaza Brigade, publishing footage of the airstrike.
The IDF says the airstrike killing Nofal was carried out following intelligence efforts by the Shin Bet security agency and Military Intelligence Directorate.
מתוקף תפקידיו, הכווין מתווי טרור התקפיים רבים נגד ישראל וכוחות הביטחון, והכווין את יעדי הירי הרקטי של חמאס, תוך הכוונה ייעודית אזורים מאוכלסים באזרחים בלתי מעורבים >> pic.twitter.com/mA9rbF1mQr
— דובר צה״ל דניאל הגרי – Daniel Hagari (@IDFSpokesperson) October 17, 2023
According to the IDF, Nofal, as part of his role, carried out “numerous terror attacks against Israel and security forces.”
The IDF says Nofal was also previously involved in the production and development of weapons and was involved in the kidnapping of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.
The military adds that Nofal was “one of the most dominant senior officials in the organization, and was close to Muhammad Deif,” the terror group’s military leader.
