The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Friday revealed that a Hamas commander, was killed in an airstrike recently.
Identified as Muhammad Bassam Mushtaha, the militant was among the October 7 invaders and held several Israeli captive in Gaza.
Who was Muhammad Bassam Mushtaha?
Muhammad Bassam Mushtaha was the commander of Hamas battalion Al-Shati. He was injured in an airstrike in northern Gaza two weeks ago on July 30. Several days after the strike, Palestinian media outlets reported that he died of his wounds.
Among the Israeli hostages whom Mushtaha held captive included Corporal Noa Marciano, who was slain in November 2023, and Tsachi Idan, who was killed in December 2023.
Hostages who were later rescued or freed from Mushtaha's captivity include Naama Levy, Ori Megidish, Ziv Berman, Omri Miran and Matan Angrest.
Mushtaha's death was confirmed by IDF a day after another airstrike killed Hamas commander Jamal Mahmoud Abu Kamil. Hamas interior ministry identified Kamil as Gaza police chief. IDF claimed that Kamil was targeted to "remove a threat" as he was advancing attacks against troops.
On May 26, Muhammad Odeh, the newly appointed leader of Hamas military wing, was killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza City. Odeh, who was allegedly one of the architects of the October 7 attacks, headed Hamas intelligence wing. Odeh's predecessor Izz al-Din al-Haddad was killed just two weeks before his death.
