IDF, Shin Bet kill PIJ terrorist who kidnapped minor on Oct. 7

Israeli security forces have eliminated a key Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) operative responsible for the kidnapping of a minor during the October 7 attacks. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet security agency announced on Sunday that Zaki Youssef Mahmoud Abu Mustafa was killed in a precise strike in the Gaza Strip on Friday.

Mustafa, identified as a Nukhba commander in the PIJ’s Khan Yunis Brigade, was allegedly instrumental in attempting to rebuild the terrorist organization's capabilities. The IDF and Shin Bet stated that he was also responsible for advancing terrorist attacks against Israeli troops in Gaza and for exploiting Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis to train terrorists.

During the October 7 massacre, Mustafa participated in the abduction of Yagil Yaakov, who was then 12 years old, from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Yaakov was later released in November 2023 as part of the first wave of hostages freed from captivity.

In a separate operation, the IDF also reported killing a Hamas Nukhba terrorist, Mohammed Osama Abd al-Aziz Saba al-Eish. According to the IDF, al-Eish was involved in facilitating recruitment and training new Hamas terrorists. The military emphasized that both strikes were conducted using precision munitions, with measures taken to minimize civilian harm.