IDF Kills Three Hamas Commanders in Gaza Strikes, Including Oct 7 Nukhba Participant

On April 16, 2026, the IDF announced it had killed three Hamas commanders in separate targeted strikes in Gaza during the prior week. The eliminated commanders included: Islam Hisham Riyad Kanita and Mahmoud Hamed Youssef Hamdouna, both commanders in Hamas's Production Unit responsible for rebuilding rocket and weapons manufacturing capabilities; and Ahmed Abu Khdeira, a commander in Hamas's communications unit in the Gaza City area. Separately, the IDF confirmed it had also killed Ali Sami Mohammad Shakra, a Nukhba unit commander who participated directly in the October 7, 2023 kidnapping of Israeli hostages from Kibbutz Re'im, and who had been planning imminent attacks against Israeli forces. The Nukhba force was Hamas's elite special operations unit responsible for leading the October 7 breach operations and hostage-taking. The IDF stated it used precise munitions and aerial surveillance to minimize civilian casualties. The Gaza Government Media Office reported that Israel had committed more than 2,400 violations of the October 2025 ceasefire agreement, including strikes, arrests, and blockades. The Foundation for Defense of Democracies separately documented 14 Hamas and other Palestinian faction violations of the ceasefire between April 8–16.