America News Agency

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that a Hamas member, whom it alleged played a role in the process involving hostages held by Hamas, was neutralized in a strike in the Nuseirat area of the Gaza Strip.

In a statement posted on the IDF’s social media account, the military said the target was Subhi Sami Mahmud Shahata, who was described as a company commander in Hamas’s military wing.

The IDF alleged that Shahata participated in attacks on Israeli territory during the October 7 attack and played a role throughout the war in holding numerous hostages who were kept captive by Hamas.

The statement also alleged that Shahata served during the hostage exchanges carried out in November 2023. The IDF said he was involved in the process of handing the hostages over to the Red Cross.

The IDF alleged that Shahata had recently been attempting to plan new terrorist attacks against the Israel Defense Forces and Israeli civilians.

The IDF statement said the strike was carried out to eliminate this threat.

The IDF announced that Southern Command units continue to be deployed in the area in accordance with the existing agreement and will continue operations aimed at “eliminating immediate threats”.