IDF Eliminates Hamas Terrorist Who Abducted Former Hostage Emily Damari During October 7 Atrocities

Latest Developments

‘The Face of Evil’: The IDF announced on July 14 that a targeted strike in Gaza City carried out in mid-June eliminated Hamas terrorist Mohammed Kanita, who had incarcerated British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari in his own home. Kanita reportedly operated as part of Hamas’s intelligence apparatus in the terrorist organization’s al-Furqan battalion. Damari posted a picture of Kanita on Instagram, saying, “This is what the face of evil looks like. So happy to know that he is no longer in our world.”
10 Previously Released Hamas Members Killed Israel’s internal security force, the Shin Bet, announced on July 14 that 10 Hamas terrorists who were sent to Gaza as part of a 2011 deal to secure the release of Israeli hostage Gilad Shalit were killed in an airstrike last week. Among the eliminated Hamas terrorists were Riyad Assila and Bassem Abu Sanina, accused of murdering Israeli civilian Haim Karman in a 1998 terror attack in Jerusalem. Israel exchanged 1,027 terrorist prisoners for the release of Shalit, who was abducted by Hamas in 2006 while serving in the IDF.
100 Terror Targets Struck in Single Day: The IDF reportedly struck over 100 terror targets throughout Gaza on July 14, including operatives, buildings used by terrorist organizations, weapon depots, tunnels, and other infrastructure. To date, five IDF divisions consisting of tens of thousands of soldiers are operating across the war-torn Palestinian enclave.

FDD Expert Response

“Nearly two years have passed since the Hamas-led October 7 massacre, yet Israel continues to locate and eliminate those involved in the atrocities of that day. While these actions offer a measure of justice for the victims, perpetrators ranging from terrorist leaders to rank-and-file foot soldiers — including Palestinian civilians who participated in the slaughter — have so far escaped justice.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“Israel’s targeting of Hamas members released in the Shalit deal underscores the risks of exchanging terrorist prisoners for Israeli civilian hostages. Following their release over a decade ago, these terrorists immediately rejoined Hamas and resumed their campaign of violence against the State of Israel. Though Hamas will know that released terrorists are not immune to IDF strikes, this should also serve as a clear warning to Jerusalem: terrorists freed as part of any potential hostage deal are likely to pose a renewed threat to Israel’s security in the future.”— Aaron Goren, Research Analyst and Editor