Overview
- Israeli forces confirmed on Sunday that Saher Nidal Latfi Saqr was killed in an airstrike in the Nuseirat area of central Gaza after Palestinian media first reported the strike.
- Israeli authorities identified Saqr as the motorcycle driver filmed abducting Noa Argamani and Avinatan Or from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023.
- The IDF, Shin Bet and Lahav 433 said the operation used aerial surveillance and precision munitions and that Saqr had supplied weapons to Hamas and worked on plots targeting Israeli civilians and troops.
- Officials framed the killing as part of an intelligence-led campaign to 'close the circle' on those involved in the October 7 massacre; the agencies also recently announced the killing of Muhammad Hamad Muhammad Gabain in a separate strike.
- Palestinian reports say strikes in Gaza continue to cause casualties and the territory’s health ministry reports a high cumulative death toll from the nearly three-year war, underscoring ongoing humanitarian strain.