IDF kills Hamas terrorist who held three hostages, Sinwar's ex-bodyguard, others in Gaza strikes

The IDF confirmed several strikes in Gaza, neutralizing key Hamas operatives. On Wednesday, Ismail Mohammad Ibrahim Barim, a commander in the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades, was killed in Khan Yunis. He was responsible for holding three hostages—Edan Alexander, Matan Zangauker, and Avera Mengistu—in a tunnel after October 7, and was involved in advancing attacks and attempting to rehabilitate the terrorist organization. Earlier on Thursday, the IDF and Shin Bet announced the killing of two Hamas Nukhba terrorists: Razek Sahil Suleiman Abu Shahma, identified as Yahya Sinwar's bodyguard, and Hazem Mousa. Both infiltrated Re'im on October 7 and were advancing terror attacks. Additionally, Bilal Ibrahim Saleh Raqi'i, an anti-tank commander, and Azzam Rifaat Abd Abadala of Hamas's Khan Yunis Brigade were killed in separate strikes on Thursday. The IDF also destroyed a Hamas ambush position and weapons storage facility in Jabalya on Tuesday, located near civilian infrastructure, which the IDF stated was a "systematic use of civilian and humanitarian infrastructure, contrary to both the ceasefire agreement and international law."