Israeli forces also killed a Hamas terrorist who invaded the country on October 7.
The IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) killed Mohammed al-Jamal, the Hamas terrorist who killed Israeli officer Arnon Zamora, the military announced Saturday evening.
Zamora was mortally wounded in a rescue operation that brought back hostages Noa Argamani, Almog Meir, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv from captivity in Gaza, which was later dubbed “Operation Arnon” in his honor.
Zamora was the only Israeli soldier to be killed in the operation. His widow, Michal, said, “I know that for many of the soldiers, and perhaps also for many of the people of Israel, this is about settling scores,” KAN quoted her as saying. “For me, there is no consolation in the fact that he is dead, because it doesn’t change the reality of my life in any way.”
Terrorist Sari Idris Muhammad al-Aqrab also killed
Jamal was one of the guards who kept the hostages in captivity. Additionally, the IDF killed Sari Idris Muhammad al-Aqrab, another Hamas terrorist who invaded the country on October 7 and was a close associate of Jamal.
The Israeli military struck both of them following information provided to it by the Shin Bet.
Smoke rises during an Israeli military operation in Gaza City, as seen from the central Gaza Strip September 27, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa)
Operation Arnon
Operation Arnon, which took place in June of 2024, was also a joint IDF and Shin Bet operation. It involved several days of Kfir Brigade activity, with support from the Paratroopers Brigade and a specialized Duvdevan Unit team, prior to its initiation.
According to then-IDF Spokesperson Rr.-Adm. Daniel Hagari, when the operation was executed, IDF and Yamam troops infiltrated two facilities while taking fire from terrorists.
It was during this phase that Zamora was wounded. He died later after being evacuated to a hospital. He was 36 years old when he was killed and left behind a wife and two children.
Joanie Margulies and Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.