Israel kills Hamas leader behind attack as ground forces amass for possible Gaza invasion

Israel announced Saturday it had killed a top Hamas militant it said was behind last week’s terror massacre as forces amassed near Gaza awaiting orders for a possible ground invasion. 

The Israeli Air Force said it used a drone to kill Ali Qadhi, a commander in the Najaba force of Hamas, after obtaining intelligence from the Shin Bet security agency. 

"Ali Qadhi led the inhumane, barbaric October 7 massacre of civilians in Israel," Israel Defense Forces announced. "We just eliminated him. All Hamas terrorists will meet the same fate."

Qadhi had been arrested by Israel in 2005 for the kidnapping and murder of civilians but was released six years later in a prisoner swap. 

Israel announced it had also killed Hamas Air Force chief Abu Merad.