Story perspectives

IDF kills three Hamas militants, denies soccer target claims

7/23/2026

Summary

IDF Kills Hamas

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet said they killed three Hamas terrorists in a Gaza strike on Tuesday.
The strike killed Abdallah Jahja, a Hamas naval operative, and Mohammed Al-Hawari and Sabhi Saqallah of Hamas’s Zeitoun Battalion.
The IDF estimates over 1,200 of the 5,000 Hamas fighters who entered Israel on October 7 were killed in southern Israel, and over 1,500 in Gaza.

Summary

IDF Targets Athletes

IDF called reports that it targeted soccer figures a “false campaign,” saying they were Hamas or Islamic Jihad operatives.
In a Wednesday assessment IDF listed 12 Gaza sports figures—including Mohammed Barakat, Ali Al-Kurd and referee Mohammed Khattab—as terrorists.
Asian Football Confederation offered condolences for Khattab.
A French lawmaker sought a minute of silence for Khattab.
IDF said the mischaracterisation is part of a broader effort to portray Israel as targeting civilians.

History

Historical Context

The 1972 Munich Olympics saw Black September gunmen kill eleven Israeli athletes, a tragedy that sparked worldwide debate over targeting civilians in sport. Decades later, Israel’s military labeling of Gaza footballers such as Mohammed Barakat as terrorists revives the same controversy, prompting calls from the Asian Football Confederation and French lawmakers for transparent investigations.

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IDF Kills Hamas

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet said they killed three Hamas terrorists in a Gaza strike on Tuesday.
The strike killed Abdallah Jahja, a Hamas naval operative, and Mohammed Al-Hawari and Sabhi Saqallah of Hamas’s Zeitoun Battalion.
The IDF estimates over 1,200 of the 5,000 Hamas fighters who entered Israel on October 7 were killed in southern Israel, and over 1,500 in Gaza.

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