After renewing strikes in Gaza, IDF announces death of Hamas commander involved in Oct. 7 attack

The IDF released a statement on Saturday night saying it had eliminated Hamas’ Shejaiya Battalion Commander, Wissam Farhat.

Farhat was responsible for the killing of six IDF soldiers during “Operation Protective Edge” and sent Hamas “Nukhba” terrorists to attack Kibbutz Nahal Oz and the Nahal Oz IDF post on Oct. 7.

Farhat was one of the planners of the 2002 terror attack on Mechinat Atzmona, in which five Israeli civilians were killed. He also helped plan the anti-tank missile attack on a civilian bus in Nahal Oz in 2011, in which an Israeli child was killed. 

The battalion commander was previously arrested in 1995, while on the way to carry out a terror attack. He spent 10 years in Israeli prison. Upon release, he began working to produce rockets for attacking Israel. 

Shortly after the airstrike that killed Farhat, a rocket barrage from Gaza reached the Tel Aviv area. 

🚨 Millions of Israelis are running for cover as sirens sound across central Israel. pic.twitter.com/4oOrv7U6XU

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) December 2, 2023

During the barrage, an Iron Dome missile misfired and struck near the launch site. There were no reported injuries from the misfire, and the IDF said they are investigating the malfunction. 

Videos of the misfire were widely shared on social media. 

BREAKING:

An Iron Dome Tamir missile misfired during tonight’s Hamas rocket attack against Tel Aviv and struck the city by mistake. pic.twitter.com/Y5jRlElZSM

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) December 2, 2023

Israel Defense Forces continued striking several targets overnight, including tunnels, command centers, weapons storehouses, and other sites connected to Palestinian terror groups. 

The IDF also said that a terror squad was eliminated via drone that was directed by ground troops during overnight operations. 

IDF Arabic Spokesperson Avichay Adraee continued to warn residents of Khan Younis to flee to safe areas in the southern Gaza Strip. Khan Younis houses many Hamas facilities, as well as the homes of Hamas leaders. 

#عاجل يا سكان قطاع غزة، لقد استأنف جيش الدفاع عمله القوي ضد حماس وباقي المنظمات الإرهابية في قطاع غزة. نرجو إخطاركم بما يلي حفاظاً على أمنكم وسلامتكم:

⭕️إلى السكان في أحياء المحطة، والكتيبة، وحمد، والسطر، وبني سهيلا ومعن في البلوكات 36، 54-38، 221-219
حفاظاً على سلامتكم ندعوكم… pic.twitter.com/wBa5IPSfmW

— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) December 3, 2023

Adraee’s post in Arabic contained a map showing the regions that will be targeted for strikes, as well as the areas where residents should head for their own safety. Areas are given specific numbers, and the IDF cautioned residents to pay attention to warnings regarding their specific zone number.