JERUSALEM (VINnews)-The Israel Defense Forces and Israel Security Agency on Friday eliminated a senior Islamic Jihad terrorist commander who participated in the abduction of hostage Yagil Yaakov during the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre and was actively rebuilding terror capabilities in southern Gaza in violation of the ceasefire agreement.

Zaki Youssef Mahmoud Abu Mustafa, the Nukhba commander of the Khan Yunis Brigade of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, was killed in a precise strike in the southern Gaza Strip, the IDF and ISA said in a joint statement.

Abu Mustafa infiltrated Kibbutz Nir Oz on Oct. 7 and took part in the abduction of Yaakov, according to the military. A photo recovered by the IDF shows him inside Israeli territory during the kidnapping.

In recent months, Abu Mustafa played a key role in efforts to restore the terrorist group’s military infrastructure, the statement said. He also advanced multiple attacks against IDF troops and attempted to train terrorists at Nasser Hospital, exploiting the medical facility for terror activity.

“Due to his recent activities and the immediate threat he posed to IDF troops, Abu Mustafa was eliminated in a precise strike,” the IDF and ISA said.

In a separate strike, the IDF eliminated Mohammed Osama Abd al-Aziz Saba al-Eish, a Hamas Nukhba terrorist. Al-Eish was involved in advancing training and instruction for Hamas terrorists and worked to recruit additional members to the organization.

Prior to both strikes, the military said steps were taken to minimize harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and aerial surveillance.

IDF troops under Southern Command remain deployed in the area in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and will continue to act against immediate threats, the statement added.