IDF confirms killing Hamas commander who held multiple Israelis hostage in Gaza

The IDF confirmed the killing of Hamas commander Muhammad Bassam Mushtaha, who held multiple Israeli hostages in Gaza, in an airstrike on July 30. Mushtaha was responsible for captives including Tsachi Idan and Noa Marciano, both killed in captivity, and others later freed. The military said he was targeted for advancing terrorist plots.

The IDF announced on Friday that Muhammad Bassam Mushtaha, a Hamas commander who invaded Israel on October 7, 2023, and held multiple Israeli hostages in Gaza, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza on July 30. Mushtaha commanded Hamas's Al-Shati battalion. Palestinian media had reported last week that he died of wounds several days after the strike. The IDF said Mushtaha was responsible for holding several Israelis kidnapped on October 7, including Tsachi Idan, who was slain in captivity in December 2023, and Cpl. Noa Marciano, killed in November 2023, as well as Ziv Berman, Omri Miran, Ori Megidish, Naama Levy, and Matan Angrest, who were later freed or rescued. In recent weeks, Mushtaha attempted to advance terrorist plots against IDF forces and Israeli citizens, and was therefore targeted. The claim that the strike was self-defense rather than revenge makes the killing legitimate under the US-brokered ceasefire, which limits Israeli operations to responding to violations. The Times of Israel analysis last month found the IDF has stepped up a retribution campaign to eliminate all October 7 terrorists. The article also mentions a separate strike on Thursday that killed Jamal Mahmoud Abu Kamil, identified as Gaza's police chief.