Israel kills Hamas commander involved in orchestrating Oct. 7 attack

Israel’s military says it has killed Haitham Khojari, the commander of Hamas’ Shati Battalion who was involved in the execution of the Oct. 7 terrorist attack in Israel that launched the war. 

“The IDF, guided by the intelligence of the Shin Bet and the IDF, eliminated Haitham Khojari, the commander of the Shati Battalion of the terrorist organization Hamas, using an Air Force fighter jet,” Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a post on X on Sunday. “Under his command, they launched a raid into Israeli territory on October 7.” 

Hagari posted a video appearing to show the airstrike being carried out against Khojari. 

The IDF's Arabic spokesman Avichay Adraee said Khojari also “led efforts to secure Hamas activities inside Al-Shifa Hospital and led the fight against IDF forces in the Al-Shati camp area” of the Gaza Strip. 

“Within the framework of his duties, he was responsible for numerous terrorist operations against Israeli citizens,” Adraee added.