Israel’s military said it has killed a Hamas commander accused of murdering Israeli surveillance soldier Noa Marciano while she was held captive in Gaza, an operation carried out during renewed fighting despite a ceasefire arrangement.
The Israeli Defense Forces identified the militant as Muhammad Issam Hassan al Habil, describing him as the head of a Hamas cell targeted in an airstrike in Gaza City’s Shati refugee camp. The announcement came after overnight clashes in northern Gaza that Israeli officials said violated the ceasefire, according to statements cited by international media.
The development adds another layer to the ongoing Israel Gaza ceasefire violations debate, as both sides accuse each other of breaking terms while military activity continues on the ground.
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In its statement, the Israeli military said the strike was conducted after militants attacked Israeli troops, wounding personnel. It described al Habil as a key operative responsible for orchestrating attacks and alleged he killed Marciano during her captivity.
Officials said the operation followed intelligence gathered during questioning by Israel’s security services, which linked the commander directly to Marciano’s death. The military framed the strike as part of broader efforts to target individuals involved in the October 7 attacks and subsequent hostage cases.
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Marciano, 19, was abducted from the Nahal Oz military outpost during the Hamas assault on Israel in October 2023. She was later injured while in captivity and taken to a hospital in Gaza City. Hamas at the time said she died in an Israeli airstrike, while Israeli authorities maintained she was killed by her captors.
The Israel Gaza ceasefire violations issue has remained a flashpoint, with both sides reporting incidents of gunfire and airstrikes even during negotiated pauses in fighting.
Meanwhile, Israel says it will continue targeting militants linked to hostage killings and attacks on its forces, signalling further operations could follow as tensions remain high.
As negotiations over further ceasefire terms continue, the killing of the commander tied to the high profile hostage case is likely to influence both military operations and diplomatic efforts in the weeks ahead.