The Israel Defense Forces announced this week that two Hamas Nukhba Force terrorists who took part in the October 7 assault on the Re’im Base have been killed in separate strikes in Khan Younis. Both men were identified as participants in the deadly raid that targeted the military installation during the large-scale attack. The operations that eliminated them occurred in the southern Gaza city, continuing the military’s long-term effort to locate and neutralize those involved in the initial assault. Officials confirmed the strikes were precise and based on intelligence accumulated over many months. The announcement marks another step in holding accountable individuals linked to the events of that day.

One of the two men killed was Razek Sahil Suleiman Abu Shahma, who previously served as a bodyguard for former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. His role close to Sinwar placed him among the more senior operatives within the Nukhba Force, the elite unit responsible for the ground assault on Israeli communities and bases. Abu Shahma’s presence at the Re’im Base on October 7 tied him directly to the fighting that unfolded there. The fact that he survived the initial stages of the war only to be targeted years later underscores the persistence of Israeli intelligence efforts. His elimination carries both operational and symbolic weight given his earlier proximity to Hamas leadership.

The second terrorist, whose identity was also confirmed by the IDF, likewise participated in the storming of the Re’im Base. Together the two men represented a direct connection to one of the most significant military sites attacked that day. By striking them in separate operations in Khan Younis, the IDF demonstrated its ability to track remaining Nukhba operatives even in densely populated areas of southern Gaza. Each strike was conducted independently, reducing the risk of broader collateral impact while ensuring the targets could not escape. The military released the information only after verifying the identities and confirming the results of the strikes.

These killings form part of a wider campaign to dismantle the network of fighters who carried out the October 7 attacks. Nukhba Force members were specifically trained for the infiltration and assault missions that day, making them high-priority targets for ongoing operations. The Re’im Base raid itself involved intense close-quarters fighting and contributed to the overall toll of that morning. Locating and eliminating participants years later shows that the passage of time has not erased the intelligence files or the determination to act on them. Khan Younis has repeatedly served as a focal point for such targeted actions because of the presence of remaining militant infrastructure.

The announcement also highlights the continued focus on individuals with personal ties to senior Hamas figures. Abu Shahma’s earlier service as Sinwar’s bodyguard elevated his profile within the organization and made him a figure of particular interest. Removing both him and his fellow attacker reduces the pool of experienced operatives who could potentially reorganize or inspire further activity. For the families of those affected by the Re’im Base assault, the news may bring a measure of closure even as the broader conflict continues. The IDF’s decision to publicize the strikes reinforces its message that participation in the October 7 attacks carries lasting consequences.

As details of the operations emerge, the killings raise questions about how many additional Nukhba members remain at large and how long the pursuit will continue. The separate nature of the strikes suggests careful, intelligence-driven planning rather than a single large-scale action. In Khan Younis and beyond, such targeted eliminations are likely to remain a feature of the military’s approach. The deaths of these two men close one chapter of the October 7 story while leaving open the larger effort to account for every participant. For now, the IDF has marked two more names off the list of those who stormed the Re’im Base.