IDF Intelligence Chief Reports 4,000 October 7 Attackers Killed, 2,000 Remain

Key points

• Maj.-Gen. Shlomi Binder stated that 4,000 of the 6,000 attackers from October 7 have been killed, with 2,000 still at large.
• The IDF killed Saqr Nabil Musa Qaisi and Ibrahim Mustafa Suleiman Abu Oweimer, both Nukhba operatives involved in the October 7 infiltration.
• Strikes over the weekend killed two Islamic Jihad rocket array commanders and attempted to kill Ali al-Amoudi, the current Hamas leader in Gaza.
• IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir declared the end of investigations into October 7 failures, focusing on implementing lessons learned and expanding military capabilities.
• Zamir emphasized a strategy of preemptive action against emerging threats and noted that 2027 will be dedicated to investigating the broader war.
• The Defense Ministry reported 1,318 Israeli security personnel killed since October 7, 2023, across all fronts.

Background

This update follows earlier reports on the ongoing conflict and investigations into the October 7 attack. Previous coverage highlighted disputes over pre-attack intelligence warnings, including claims by The Atlantic that Egyptian intelligence warned Israel days before the attack, which Israeli officials rejected. Additionally, scrutiny has been directed at the delayed communication between Prime Minister Netanyahu and the IDF Chief of Staff during the initial attack. Recent strikes have also targeted senior Hamas figures, including the finance chief and a hostage commander, aiming to dismantle the group's infrastructure despite the ceasefire.

How outlets are covering it

The Jerusalem Post focuses on the specific casualty figures provided by IDF Military Intelligence Chief Shlomi Binder, emphasizing the progress in eliminating the original October 7 attackers. In contrast, Israel National News highlights the strategic shift announced by IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, focusing on the conclusion of failure investigations, the need for military expansion, and a doctrine of preemptive strikes. While JPost details the ongoing targeted killings of specific Hamas and Islamic Jihad commanders, INN emphasizes the broader institutional changes and readiness for future multi-front conflicts.

Why it matters

The reported elimination of two-thirds of the October 7 attackers signals a significant shift in the operational landscape, reducing the immediate threat from the original infiltrators. However, the continued targeting of senior Hamas figures and the announcement of a preemptive strike doctrine indicate that the conflict is evolving into a sustained campaign to dismantle Hamas's capabilities and prevent future attacks. The conclusion of the October 7 failure investigations and the planned expansion of the IDF suggest a long-term strategic adjustment to address multi-front threats and ensure national security.

What to watch

The IDF will continue to pursue the remaining 2,000 attackers from October 7, as stated by Binder. In 2027, the IDF will investigate the broader war, including Operation Roaring Lion, to identify additional lessons learned. The military will also focus on expanding its force structure to handle simultaneous threats across multiple fronts. Ongoing strikes against Hamas and Islamic Jihad commanders are expected to continue, aiming to prevent the rebuilding of military capabilities in violation of the ceasefire.