IDF Eliminates Islamic Jihad Commander Behind October 7 Kibbutz Infiltration

Image: Jihad Watch

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Monday the elimination of Alaa al-Din Abd al-Nasser Hasan Khudar, a prominent Nukhba commander within the Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s Gaza City Brigade. Khudar was killed in a precision airstrike carried out in the Gaza Strip, marking another significant blow to the senior leadership of Islamic Jihad. According to the IDF, Khudar had been deeply involved in operational planning and frontline assaults throughout the course of the war, playing a key role in sustaining attacks against Israel even after the initial October 7 assault.

Military officials noted that Khudar was among the militants who infiltrated Kibbutz Nahal Oz during the Hamas-led massacre on October 7, 2023. The infiltration of Nahal Oz was one of the most harrowing episodes of that day, as terrorists overran the community, murdering residents, wounding dozens, and abducting others into Gaza. For many Israelis, Nahal Oz came to symbolize the immense brutality of the attack, given the scale of civilian casualties and the vulnerability of the kibbutz population.

The strike on Khudar was part of a broader IDF response following repeated ceasefire violations by Islamic Jihad and Hamas. Despite a temporary humanitarian truce intended to facilitate aid deliveries and hostage negotiations, the military reported that militants opened fire on Israeli forces on November 22. This incident was among several breaches attributed to the terror groups, prompting the IDF to resume targeted operations. In the days that followed, Israeli aircraft carried out a series of strikes across the Gaza Strip, focusing on high-value terror infrastructure, command-and-control centers, and active field operatives responsible for ongoing attacks.

These operations form only one segment of the IDF’s wider counterterrorism campaign. Earlier in April, the army confirmed the killing of a senior commander from the Palestinian Mujahideen movement—another militant organization operating in Gaza. This individual had repeatedly infiltrated the community of Nir Oz and was believed to be directly involved in the kidnapping and murder of Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir. The Bibas family became one of the most painful symbols of the conflict. Evidence later revealed that Ariel, just four years old, and Kfir, a nine-month-old infant, were strangled to death by their captors, who also murdered their mother. The brutality of these killings shocked the Israeli public and intensified calls for a stronger military response.

These targeted eliminations—carried out over the span of just one week in late November—represent only a fraction of the ongoing efforts by the IDF to dismantle terrorist networks operating within Gaza and beyond. Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, and affiliated organizations continue to attempt attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers, but the IDF maintains an active, round-the-clock campaign aimed at preventing future massacres, degrading militant capabilities, and securing Israel's borders.

For many observers, these actions serve as a reminder that Israel’s defenders, as the saying goes, “neither slumber nor sleep.” In a region defined by volatility and existential threats, the IDF continues its operations with unwavering focus. Their efforts not only protect the citizens of Israel but also contribute to the broader security of Western nations, many of which depend on Israel’s intelligence, counterterrorism expertise, and frontline resistance against extremist organizations. Yet, as often noted, this contribution remains underappreciated by much of the international community—despite the heavy cost Israel bears in the process.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)