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Israel Deploys NILI Force to Assassinate Hamas Leaders Regionwide

5/21/2026

40 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Israel created the NILI task force to hunt Hamas participants in the October 7 attack.
The unit targets Hamas operatives in Gaza, Iran and Lebanon using facial-recognition of social-media videos.
Two pieces of evidence suffice to mark a suspect for lethal action without trial.
NILI has assassinated Hamas leaders in Iran and Lebanon, a move officials describe as part of a revenge discourse and as consoling victims’ families.

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Story summary

Israel created the NILI task force to hunt Hamas participants in the October 7 attack.
The unit targets Hamas operatives in Gaza, Iran and Lebanon using facial-recognition of social-media videos.
Two pieces of evidence suffice to mark a suspect for lethal action without trial.
NILI has assassinated Hamas leaders in Iran and Lebanon, a move officials describe as part of a revenge discourse and as consoling victims’ families.