Israeli Military Claims It Killed Hamas Militant in Viral Oct 7 Video

The Israeli military reported the death of a Hamas militant involved in a widely circulated video from October 7. In this disturbing footage, the militant was seen drinking cola in front of two children who had been injured by a grenade attack that took their father’s life.

On Tuesday, military sources identified the individual as Ahmed Fozi Wadia, who was a Hamas commander in a commando battalion and part of a paragliding unit. Wadia, according to the military, had flown into the community of Netiv HaAsara on a paraglider before perpetrating the attack on civilians.

In the recorded incident at the Taasa family home, viewers could see Gil Taasa rushing to a shelter with his two young sons, just as a grenade was thrown their way. In a heroic act, Taasa jumped on the grenade, resulting in his death while his children were left wounded. The footage subsequently showed Wadia standing over the injured boys, having accessed their refrigerator for a drink.

The Israeli military announced that an airstrike targeted a location in Gaza City on Saturday where Hamas militants were reported to be acting, resulting in the deaths of eight militants, Wadia included.

The strike occurred near the Al-Ahli hospital, though the military clarified that the hospital itself was not hit. In contrast, the Health Ministry in Gaza documented a separate strike on hospital grounds that reportedly killed three people.

The October 7 attacks by Hamas militants resulted in 1,200 fatalities and approximately 250 hostages taken, marking the beginning of a war that has now extended into its 11th month. According to health officials in Gaza, over 40,000 lives have been claimed throughout this conflict.

In a separate incident, a brawl during a soccer game grabbed attention in Israel. An Arab soccer team expressed concerns that the altercation could set a troubling precedent for racism in the sport. The Israeli police stated that 12 fans were arrested after they charged onto the field and initiated a fight during the playing of the Israeli national anthem at a match in southern Israel.

Media reports indicated that some supporters of Bnei Sakhnin, an Arab team based in northern Israel, turned their backs during the anthem, triggering a violent response from Beersheba fans who stormed the pitch armed with rods.

In the midst of escalating tensions stemming from the recent killings of six hostages in Gaza and violent incidents in the West Bank, the players from Bnei Sakhnin exited the field, refusing to proceed with the match.

Bnei Sakhnin’s Chairman Muhammad Abu Younes emphasized in a Tuesday news conference that the security should have intervened to prevent the trespass onto the field, and his team felt compelled to avoid the match under such a charged atmosphere.

Consequences are anticipated for both teams from the Israel Football Association as a result of the disruptive behavior.

Owner of Hapoel Beersheba, Alona Barkat, commented that while she does not condone her fans’ actions, the day was particularly tense, and all present were deeply affected by the circumstances. She articulated that attendees should minimally show respect for the anthem during such occasions.

In political developments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the British government’s recent decision to suspend some arms exports to Israel. He condemned this move as “shameful,” asserting that it would not sway Israel’s resolve to combat Hamas.

Netanyahu expressed on social media that “With or without British arms, Israel will win this war.” The UK government’s suspension was announced on Monday and is a response to mounting pressure from allies regarding potential breaches of international law during the ongoing conflict.

This suspension holds limited military weight but symbolizes growing discontent among Israel’s allies regarding the humanitarian toll of the lengthy conflict, during which over 40,000 Palestinians have reportedly lost their lives, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

While British companies supply a smaller amount of military materials to Israel in comparison to key suppliers like the U.S. and Germany, the UK’s decision carries significant symbolic implications. Israel contends that it adheres strictly to international law as it continues military operations against Hamas, which initiated the October 7 assault marked by 1,200 deaths and the abduction of hostages.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization announced that its complex polio vaccination initiative in Gaza successfully reached over a quarter of its targeted children within the first two days of implementation. Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO representative in the Palestinian territories, reported that more than 161,000 children out of the aimed 640,000 have received vaccinations as part of a humanitarian pause in specific areas.

Peeperkorn indicated that over 500 teams have been deployed throughout Gaza to combat the outbreak of vaccine-derived polio, and that Israel has agreed to allow temporary pauses during conflict to facilitate this critical health campaign.

In aviation news, German airline Lufthansa plans to resume flights to Tel Aviv starting Thursday, after previously canceling services due to security concerns in the region. However, flights to Beirut will remain suspended until the end of September across all airlines in the Lufthansa Group.

Flights to Amman and Erbil were reinstated earlier in the month as the company adjusts its operations in response to changing conditions.