IDF Eliminates Key Hamas Leaders Behind October 7 Attacks
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Wednesday the successful elimination of two senior Hamas commanders involved in the October 7, 2023, cross-border attack that claimed the lives of approximately 1,200 individuals. The strikes were part of ongoing operations in Gaza.
One of the targets, Fahmi Salami, who led the elite Nukhba Force of Hamas’s Zeitoun Battalion, was responsible for the assault on the Paga military post near Kibbutz Be’eri, where 14 soldiers from the IDF’s Golani Brigade were killed. Salami’s operations extended to orchestrating numerous terrorist acts throughout the ongoing conflict. He was neutralized in an airstrike on a building previously used as a school.
Another key figure, Salah Dahman, who headed Hamas’s paraglider unit that facilitated infiltration into Israel on October 7, was killed in an airstrike in the Jabalia area of northern Gaza. These actions underscore Israel’s continued determination to hold perpetrators accountable for the atrocities committed.
The IDF emphasized that ground operations are critical to dismantling Hamas’s operational infrastructure. Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi highlighted the necessity of entering Gaza’s tunnels to neutralize threats and achieve lasting security. “We will continue until the hostages are rescued and Hamas is eliminated,” Halevi stated.
As of this week, the IDF reports 384 fatalities among Israeli troops since ground operations began on October 27, with total losses reaching 816 across all fronts since October 7, 2023.
Hamas Relents on Key Conditions, Paves Way for Hostage Agreement
Hamas has reportedly softened its stance on key demands, raising hopes for a breakthrough in hostage negotiations. According to The Wall Street Journal, the group has agreed to allow Israeli forces to remain in Gaza during a proposed 60-day truce and has submitted a list of hostages, including U.S. citizens, it is willing to release.
The potential agreement, facilitated by U.S. and Egyptian mediation, includes a ceasefire during which Hamas would release up to 30 captives in exchange for the release of Palestinian detainees and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza. Israel would maintain a military presence in strategic corridors, a condition Hamas previously rejected.
The ongoing conflict began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023, invasion of Israel, resulting in widespread violence, abductions, and casualties. As negotiations continue, key challenges remain, including the exact terms of the ceasefire and the scope of Israel’s presence in Gaza.
The situation mirrors recent developments with Hezbollah in Lebanon, which accepted a ceasefire leaving IDF forces stationed in the area following significant losses. The IDF estimates that it has eliminated approximately 17,000 Hamas operatives in Gaza and 700 more in the West Bank since the conflict began.
Speaker Mike Johnson Meets Hostage Families, Urges Swift Rescue
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson met with families of hostages held by Hamas on Wednesday, reaffirming American commitment to securing their release. The Louisiana Republican hosted the meeting at his office on Capitol Hill, expressing solidarity and emphasizing the urgency of rescuing the captives.
“We must free the hostages from Hamas’s death tunnels as quickly as possible,” Johnson stated, underscoring bipartisan support for their safe return.
Aviva Siegel, a former hostage, recounted her harrowing experience in captivity and urged immediate action to save those still held. “The hostages endure unimaginable terror every day. We cannot abandon them to their fate,” Siegel said.
The meeting included families of American hostages and dual U.S.-Israeli citizens. Former hostage Judith Raanan also appealed to President-elect Donald Trump for continued efforts to secure the release of the remaining captives. Trump, along with outgoing Biden administration officials, has prioritized resolving the hostage crisis before the presidential transition.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is currently in the region to support negotiations for a ceasefire that includes the release of hostages. Israel estimates that approximately 100 hostages remain in Gaza, while efforts to secure their freedom continue.
