Jerusalem, 16 September, 2026 (TPS-IL) — IDF struck in the Khan Yunis area of southern Gaza last Thursday, killing Jihad Samih Mahmoud Ismail, a Nukhba cell commander in Hamas’s military wing, the IDF Spokesperson reported Wednesday.
According to the IDF, Ismail crossed from southern Gaza into Israel during the October 7 massacre and took part in an encounter with soldiers from Tank 3, as well as the abduction of Capt. Omer Neutra, Staff Sgt. Oz Daniel, and Sgt. Nimrod Cohen. Tank driver Sgt. Shaked Dahan was killed in the encounter.
During the war, Ismail was Involved in ambushes targeting IDF forces. More recently, he advanced terrorist attacks against IDF troops and Israeli civilians, while systematically violating the ceasefire.
The IDF said Ismail was eliminated to remove the threat he posed.
