Israeli Forces Eliminate Hamas Member Responsible for IDF Soldier Marciano’s Death

In a significant development in the ongoing Gaza conflict, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Wednesday that Muhammad Issam Hassan al-Habil, the Hamas terrorist responsible for murdering Israeli surveillance soldier Corporal Noa Marciano while she was held captive, has been eliminated in an airstrike.

The military operation, conducted in Gaza City’s Shati refugee camp, came in response to what Israeli authorities described as a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire agreement by Hamas. According to IDF reports, Hamas fighters had wounded Israeli troops in northern Gaza during an overnight attack.

“In response to the blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement overnight, earlier today (Wednesday), the IDF and ISA struck and eliminated the terrorist Muhammad Issam Hassan al-Habil, head of a Hamas terrorist cell,” the IDF stated in its official announcement.

Al-Habil, identified as a key Hamas cell commander, was implicated in the murder of 19-year-old Noa Marciano through intelligence gathered by the Israeli Security Agency (ISA). Marciano had been abducted from the Nahal Oz outpost during Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, which triggered the ongoing conflict.

According to Israeli military accounts, Marciano was wounded in an IDF airstrike on November 9, 2023, while being held by Hamas and was subsequently taken to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Her body was recovered by Israeli forces later that month and returned to Israel for burial in her hometown of Modi’in.

Responding to news of al-Habil’s death, Marciano’s mother, Adi Marciano, acknowledged the mixed emotions the family felt. “There is no real comfort in this,” she said. “But there is knowledge that justice was done, even if only partially. Nothing will bring Noa back to us.” She added that the family had been promised that all those involved in her daughter’s murder would be brought to justice.

The IDF characterized the operation as providing “closure for the Marciano family, and to the IDF and ISA,” while reaffirming its commitment to targeting “any terrorist involved in the brutal Oct. 7 massacre and against any attempts by terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip to carry out terror attacks against IDF troops and Israeli civilians.”

The strike that eliminated al-Habil was part of a broader response to several security incidents that occurred overnight. Around 1 a.m., Hamas fighters reportedly opened fire on IDF forces in the Daraj Tuffah area, severely wounding a reserve officer. Israeli troops returned fire and conducted additional strikes to neutralize the threat.

In the specific operation targeting al-Habil, the IDF reported that three suspects were identified approaching a security perimeter in southern Khan Younis. After being deemed a threat to Israeli troops, the suspects were struck.

Among those killed alongside al-Habil were two other significant militant figures: Bilal Abu Assi, described as a Hamas Nukhba platoon commander who led the attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7 massacre, and Ali Raziana, identified as the commander of the Northern Gaza Brigade of Islamic Jihad, another militant group operating in the region.

Abu Assi was also believed to have been involved in holding deceased hostages in captivity while coordinating terrorist operations against IDF troops, according to Israeli intelligence.

This targeted elimination represents another significant blow to Hamas’ command structure as the conflict approaches its eighth month. The ongoing violence has resulted in thousands of casualties on both sides and created a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with international peace efforts thus far failing to secure a lasting ceasefire.

The killing of al-Habil and other militant commanders demonstrates Israel’s continued emphasis on targeting those it holds responsible for the October 7 attack, even as international pressure mounts for a permanent cessation of hostilities and the release of remaining hostages still held in Gaza.