The Israel Defense Forces says it killed Saqr Nabil Musa Qaisi, a man it identified as a member of Hamas’ elite Nukhba forces who was allegedly operating under the cover of humanitarian work.
In a statement published on October 4, the IDF said Qaisi had participated in the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7 and remained involved in activities supporting the group during the subsequent war.
The Israeli military described the strike as necessary to remove what it considered an ongoing threat. The claims contained in the IDF statement were not independently verified in the material provided.
IDF Links Qaisi to October 7 Attack
According to the Israeli military, Qaisi was a Nukhba operative who entered Israeli territory during the October 7 attack.
Nukhba forces are an elite component of Hamas’ military wing and have been accused by Israel of playing a significant role in the assault.
The IDF did not provide additional details in the statement about Qaisi’s alleged individual actions during the attack.
Humanitarian Organization Role Comes Under Scrutiny
Israel also alleged that Qaisi served as a director of Deniz Feneri, a Turkish organization that presents itself as working in the humanitarian aid sector.
The IDF claimed the organization maintains connections with senior members of Hamas’ leadership as well as individuals within Turkey’s leadership.
The supplied statement did not include a response from Deniz Feneri or Turkish authorities to those allegations.
Israel Accuses Qaisi of Using Humanitarian Position to Support Hamas
An accompanying IDF graphic accused Qaisi of exploiting humanitarian activities to support Hamas.
According to the Israeli military, he regularly helped employ individuals it identified as militants and provided financial assistance to Hamas members.
The IDF further alleged that humanitarian structures were used as a cover to advance activities benefiting the organization.
Those accusations represent the Israeli military’s account, and no independent evidence establishing the allegations was included in the supplied material.
IDF Claims Activities Continued During War
The Israeli military said Qaisi’s alleged involvement with Hamas continued throughout the conflict.
According to the statement, he worked to advance operations against Israeli civilians and IDF personnel while helping Hamas rebuild capabilities damaged during the fighting.
Israel further accused him of carrying out those activities in violation of the ceasefire.
The IDF did not provide detailed information in the statement about specific operations Qaisi allegedly organized or the precise circumstances surrounding his killing.
Israel Says Strike Was Intended to Remove Continuing Threat
The Israeli military characterized Qaisi as an active threat rather than solely someone accused of previous involvement with Hamas.
It said his killing was carried out because of his alleged continuing role in rebuilding the group’s capabilities and supporting operations against Israel.
The statement forms part of Israel’s broader allegations that Hamas members have operated through or alongside civilian and humanitarian structures during the conflict.
The IDF’s announcement, however, presents Israel’s account of Qaisi’s role. The supplied material does not include comments from Hamas, Deniz Feneri or Turkish officials addressing the specific allegations against him.
