The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the death of Ahmed Hussein Mohammed Kafina, a commander in the Kataeb al-Mujahideen group, who played a key role in abducting Israeli hostages Noa Argamani and Avinatan Or during the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023. Kafina also oversaw the kidnapping of Sudthisak Rinthalak, a Thai agricultural worker who was killed in the same assault.
According to the IDF, Kafina was responsible for directing attacks against Israeli military and civilian targets during the war. He was killed on Tuesday in an aerial strike after being identified as an immediate threat to nearby troops. The strike was described as precise and targeted.
The hostages and their return
Noa Argamani was rescued after 245 days in captivity on June 8, 2024, following a military operation. Avinatan Or was released after 738 days in Hamas custody on October 13, 2025, as part of a prisoner exchange involving the release of Palestinian security detainees. Argamani and Or were kidnapped from the Supernova music festival in southern Israel.
Other recent targets
In another operation, the IDF and Shin Bet killed Abd al-Rahim Abd al-Hay Youssef Kardi, a Hamas deputy cell commander and a doctor at Gaza City’s Shifa Hospital. Kardi was involved in holding Israeli civilian Romi Gonen and Cpl. Noa Marciano’s body after the latter was murdered during the initial wave of the October 7 attacks.
The IDF also announced the death of Muhammad Al-Abed, a Hamas supply officer, and Ahmad Ma’in Muhammad Anqar, a commander in the group. Both were killed in strikes across the Gaza Strip after posing a threat to Israeli forces, though the specific locations were not disclosed.
Collaboration and continued threats
Kataeb al-Mujahideen, the group Kafina led in central Gaza, has operated in close coordination with the armed wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The IDF said both groups have continued to carry out attacks against Israeli forces and civilians since the war began.
The military emphasized that Kafina and other targeted individuals were removed after being identified as active threats, though it acknowledged that their elimination does not eliminate the broader networks they represented.