IDF/Shin Bet Kill Hamas Operative Farah Hamed in Gaza City Drone Strike Over 2003 Killing of MK's Husband

Israeli security forces killed Farah Hamed, described by Israel as a senior Hamas military-wing operative, in a drone strike on a motorcycle on al-Rashid Street in Gaza City's Sheikh Ejleen (Sheikh Ijlin) neighborhood on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. The operation was carried out jointly by the Israel Police's specialized Gideonim unit (Unit 33), the Shin Bet and the IDF. Israel said Hamed belonged to the 'Silwad cell' active during the Second Intifada and was responsible for an October 2003 shooting attack at Ein Yabrud that killed three soldiers, including Shalom Har-Melech, husband of current Otzma Yehudit MK Limor Son Har-Melech. Hamed was captured and later released to Gaza in the 2011 Shalit prisoner-exchange deal; Israel said he subsequently continued in Hamas's military wing, recruiting and directing operatives for attacks in the West Bank. No Palestinian casualty figures beyond Hamed were confirmed by Israeli sources.