IDF confirms Hamas commander, deputy and two others killed in Rafah tunnel escape

The IDF says Bawab oversaw the planning of the battalion’s infiltration of communities across the southern Negev during the brutal October 7 massacre.

By Jewish Breaking News

The IDF confirmed that four Hamas terrorists, including the commander and deputy commander of the terror group’s East Rafah Battalion, were killed after attempting to flee a tunnel complex in southern Gaza.

A new intelligence assessment confirmed that they were East Rafah Battalion commander Mohammad Bawab, his deputy Ismail Abu Labda, company commander Tawfiq Salem, and Abdullah Hamad, the son of senior Hamas figure Ghazi Hamad.

According to the IDF, the men were spotted emerging from an underground tunnel network in eastern Rafah, a sector now under Israeli control where dozens of Hamas fighters are believed to be trapped.

Troops on the ground, working in coordination with the Israeli Air Force, eliminated all four operatives during the escape attempt.

The IDF says Bawab oversaw the planning of the battalion’s infiltration of communities across the southern Negev during the brutal October 7 massacre.

He also directed numerous attacks against IDF forces throughout the ongoing war.

Abu Labda was closely involved in planning the October 7 operations as well and he was also the mastermind behind the hostage release humiliation ceremonies.

According to the IDF, Abdullah Hamad served as a security officer within Bawab’s team.

Hamad was also the son of senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad.