Israeli security forces have killed a senior Hamas terrorist in Gaza who was directly implicated in the deadly October 7, 2023 attack and the abduction of Israeli hostages, officials confirmed on Thursday. The operation, conducted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in cooperation with the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), targeted Mohammed Rasmi Marzouk Barakah, a member of Hamas’s military intelligence network.
The precise strike was carried out in the city of Gaza following extensive intelligence gathering and surveillance. Israeli officials explained that Barakah participated in the cross-border terrorist assault that resulted in the deadliest antisemitic massacre since the Holocaust, with more than 1,200 Israelis murdered and over 240 hostages taken by Hamas operatives. The October 7 attack was characterized by mass killings, abductions, and documented acts of brutality, shocking Israel and the world.
According to military reports, Barakah played a direct role in abducting Israeli civilians, including the elderly, and his elimination marks an important milestone in counterterrorism efforts. His involvement in Hamas’s military intelligence highlights the persistent threat posed by the group’s efforts to exploit civilian infrastructure—such as homes, schools, and hospitals—for terrorist activities. This use of human shields and civilian sites for military purposes stands in violation of international law and puts countless Gaza residents at risk.
The joint statement from the IDF and Shin Bet reaffirmed Israel’s determination to continue its military operations against Hamas until its terror infrastructure is dismantled and Israeli hostages are returned. Israeli leaders stressed that every effort is being made to minimize harm to civilians in Gaza, despite Hamas’s systematic attempts to embed its operatives and command centers among the local population.
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
The October 7 massacre marked a turning point in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iranian-backed terror factions across the region. On that day, Hamas forces, trained and supplied by the regime in Tehran, invaded southern Israel in a premeditated assault. The attackers killed families in their homes, massacred civilians at public gatherings, and abducted children, women, and the elderly. The atrocities included executions, sexual abuse, mutilations, and forced transport of hostages into Gaza, where they remain under dire conditions. Hamas’s actions were widely condemned by governments and human rights organizations as brazen violations of both morals and international law.
In response, Israel launched Operation Iron Swords, a campaign to degrade Hamas’s military capacities, eliminate its leadership, and secure the release of all remaining hostages. Since then, Israeli defense forces have confronted persistent fighting not only with Hamas in the Gaza Strip but also with Hezbollah on the Lebanese border and other Iran-supported proxy forces in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.
HUMANITARIAN CHALLENGES AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE
Israeli military officials emphasize that the ongoing campaign is conducted with strict adherence to the laws of armed conflict, including advance warnings for civilians and the creation of humanitarian corridors. Despite these measures, Hamas’s embedded presence among Gaza residents complicates military operations and endangers noncombatants. Israeli authorities have repeatedly called on the international community to hold terror groups accountable for these war crimes, highlighting the moral distinction between Israel’s defensive actions and the systematic targeting of civilians by Iranian-backed factions.
The United States and allied democracies have expressed continued support for Israel’s right to self-defense. President Donald Trump and his administration reiterated that Israel’s campaign is justified and necessary in light of the unprecedented scale and brutality of the Hamas assault. Western governments have called for the immediate release of all hostages and a cessation of terror attacks against Israel.
CONTINUING THE FIGHT AGAINST IRANIAN-BACKED TERRORISM
The neutralization of Barakah comes amid Israel’s broader strategy to dismantle the Iranian-supported terror axis, which includes Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and affiliated groups. Israeli intelligence and special forces remain engaged in tracking surviving Hamas leaders and attackers connected to the October 7 massacre. Officials indicate that targeted operations will continue until all responsible parties are brought to justice and further attacks prevented.
Israel’s military campaign is underpinned by the commitment to safeguard its citizens, prevent new atrocities, and uphold the rule of law, even as terror groups attempt to manipulate civilian suffering for propaganda and diplomatic pressure. The government reiterates the necessity of maintaining international support against the broader network of Iranian aggression in the Middle East.
Families of hostages and victims insist on global recognition of the singular threat posed by Hamas and other Iranian-backed groups. Israeli officials maintain that no equivalence exists between the democratic nation’s self-defense operations and the deliberate crimes of terror organizations. As the fight continues, Israel’s security services vow to uphold their mission: protecting the nation, securing the release of hostages, and dismantling the infrastructure that enables terror from Gaza and beyond.
