Israel killed Hamas commander Muhammad al-Habil, linked to the murder of IDF soldier Noa Marciano, in a Gaza City airstrike on February 5, 2026.

The Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet killed Muhammad Issam Hassan al-Habil, a Hamas cell commander accused of murdering IDF soldier Corporal Noa Marciano during her captivity in Gaza, in an airstrike on Gaza City’s Shati refugee camp on February 5, 2026. The operation followed a violation of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire, including an attack that wounded Israeli troops. Al-Habil, linked to the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault on the Nahal Oz base, was reportedly responsible for Marciano’s brutal killing while she was held captive near Shifa Hospital. Intelligence from the IDF’s Gaza Division played a key role in the strike, which also targeted other senior Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives. The IDF stated the action was part of ongoing efforts to hold accountable those involved in the October 7 attacks and to counter threats to Israeli forces.