Several high-profile terrorists have been neutralized during a recent Israeli military operation in Gaza City’s Shifa Hospital.
Among those reportedly killed were Mahmoud Khalil Zakzuk, the deputy commander in charge of Hamas’s rocket unit in Gaza City, and Raad Thabet, identified as a top figure responsible for the terror group’s recruitment and supply acquisition efforts. According to the Shin Bet, their elimination occurred during a significant encounter involving troops from the Navy’s elite Shayetet 13 unit, the Givati Brigade’s Shaked Battalion, and the Duvdevan unit.
Another engagement near Shifa hospital’s maternity ward saw the Nahal Brigade neutralize Fadi Dweik and Zakaria Najib. Dweik was responsible for a 2002 shooting attack in the settlement of Adora in Judea and Samaria, which resulted in the deaths of four civilians. Sent back to Gaza as part of the 2011 prisoner swap that released 1,027 convicted terrorists in exchange for the captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, Dweik continued to orchestrate attacks in Judea and Samaria.
Najib was key in the 1994 abduction and killing of 19-year-old Israeli soldier Nachshon Wachsman. Disguised as religious Jews, Hamas terrorists offered Wachsman a ride from his military base. They demanded the release of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the founder of Hamas, along with other terorists imprisoned by Israel, in exchange for Wachsman’s life.
Shortly thereafter, Hamas released a video showing Wachsman, blindfolded and handcuffed, making a plea for his life.
Tragically, an IDF mission, known as Operation Bramble Bush, to save him ended in disaster when the terrorists, realizing a rescue operation was underway, killed Wachsman before the soldiers could reach him.
