Full Breakdown
Israeli Forces Kill Three Hamas Operatives in Northern Gaza
7/26/2026, 9:50:22 PM
Targeted Strike in Northern Gaza
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet security agency carried out a targeted strike in the northern Gaza Strip on a Tuesday, killing three Hamas operatives. The individuals identified were Abdallah Jahja, a member of Hamas’s naval force who had taken part in the October 7, 2023, invasion of Israel; Mohammed Al-Hawari and Sabhi Saqallah, both members of the Zeitoun Battalion. The IDF and Shin Bet said the operation was part of an ongoing effort to eliminate participants in the October 7 massacre and to prevent further attacks from the maritime domain.
Context of the Ongoing Counter-Terror Campaign
Since the October 7 onslaught, Israel has pursued a large-scale retribution campaign aimed at hunting down every terrorist involved in the attack. The campaign continues despite a cease-fire that formally prohibits offensive actions, and some strikes have resulted in civilian casualties. According to the IDF, of the roughly 5,000 terrorists who entered Israel on October 7, more than 1,200 were killed in southern Israel during the initial assault, while over 1,500 have been targeted and killed in Gaza over the three-year war.
Recent Kill Statistics
In July, the military reported that it had killed at least 10 terrorists who participated in the October 7 attack, eight senior commanders, and 29 additional operatives working to restore Hamas infrastructure or launch new attacks. The three individuals eliminated in the recent northern Gaza strike add to this tally and illustrate the continued focus on high-value targets linked to the original massacre.
Official Statements & Responses
The IDF spokesperson’s unit released an infographic describing Abdallah Jahja’s role in planning maritime attacks against Israeli troops and civilians. The agency emphasized that the strike was a precise response to ongoing threats and that eliminating commanders such as Al-Hawari and Saqallah disrupts the operational capacity of the Zeitoun Battalion. No further comment was provided regarding potential civilian impact from the operation.
