IDF strike kills Hamas commander who led hostage release ceremonies, participated in Oct. 7

The deputy commander of the Hamas Zeitoun Battalion in Gaza City, who led hostage release ceremonies and participated in the October 7 onslaught, was killed in a recent airstrike, the military and Shin Bet announce.

The Hamas commander, Musa Shaldan, was killed in a strike carried out by the Israeli Air Force last week, according to the IDF.

As a company commander in the Zeitoun Battalion, Shaldan invaded Israel with his forces on October 7, 2023, the IDF says. Additionally, the army says he was one of the leaders of Hamas’s incendiary balloon launches at Israel before the war.

During the war, Shaldan was responsible for the release of hostages from Gaza City, and he was seen leading Hamas’s release ceremonies earlier this year, the military says.

The IDF says that during the war, Shaldan led numerous attacks against Israeli troops — including sniper fire, explosives, and anti-tank fire — while sheltering in “humanitarian compounds.” He was also responsible for Hamas’s fighting positions in Zeitoun.

Previously, Shaldan served as the intelligence chief in the Zeitoun Battalion and a deputy company commander, the army adds.