IDF kills Oct. 7 infiltrator, Hamas platoon commander in Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Thursday the elimination of Nihad Arouq, a Hamas platoon commander from the Shati Battalion, in the northern Gaza Strip. Arouq had infiltrated Israeli territory during the October 7, 2023, attacks on the northwestern Negev. The IDF stated that Arouq participated in the October 7 attack, trained Hamas terrorists throughout the war, and continued to plan attacks against Israeli forces and civilians. The military described him as posing "a threat to our forces operating in the Gaza Strip and was eliminated in a precise aerial strike." This action is part of increased Israeli military strikes in Gaza targeting terrorists involved in the October 7 attacks who continue to pose a threat.