'Raided bomb shelter': IDF says Hamas leader who attacked Nahal Oz base killed; links him to October 7 attack

The Israel Defence Forces ( IDF ) said it killed senior Hamas commander Wael Matria in an airstrike in Gaza’s Shati area.

In a post on X Friday, the IDF alleged that Matria was a terrorist involved in the October 7 attacks and took part in the raid on the Nahal Oz military outpost during the massacre.

According to the IDF, he served as a Nukhba platoon commander in Hamas ’ Shati Battalion in the Gaza City area and is accused of promoting terrorist plots against Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.

🔴 ELIMINATED: Wael Mutrieh, a Hamas platoon commander, who infiltrated the Nahal Oz outpost bomb shelter during the Oct. 7 Massacre.

Mutrieh was a Nukhba platoon commander in Hamas’ Shati Battalion in the Gaza City area, and took part in the October 7 Massacre, as well as… pic.twitter.com/35NjpuGaXH

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 25, 2025

The military described his elimination as part of ongoing strikes against Hamas leadership and infrastructure.

The October 7 assault began with Hamas firing more than 2,000 rockets into Israel, followed by fighters crossing the border. Militants attacked civilians in nearby towns, carrying out massacres.

One of the deadliest attacks occurred at the Nova music festival in the Negev desert, where over 370 people were killed. Videos showed militants shooting at festival-goers and taking hostages.

Following the attacks, which left many civilians dead and others missing, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war and ordered large-scale airstrikes on Hamas targets in Gaza.