A terrorist who had been reported killed by the IDF suddenly "came to life"

The Hamas field commander, whose elimination was announced by the IDF in May 2024, appeared in a video filmed in the Gaza Strip in January 2025, after the ceasefire. Hussein Fiaj, also known as Abu Hamza, who commanded a “battalion” of militants in Beit Hanoun, did not just appear on camera. Palestinians filmed his speech at the funeral ceremony. Abu Hamza spoke of victory over Israel. The video was distributed on Wednesday, January 22

Abu Hamza’s sudden appearance in public surprised many Hamas activists. The son of another militant commander killed by the IDF in 2009 wrote on social networks: “What a surprise! This will be a painful blow to the enemy intelligence services. Our brother, a warrior, a battalion commander, came to the city to console its residents. And this after numerous attempts liquidation and official announcement of his death by enemies”

Said Ziyad, a resident of the Gaza Strip, wrote: “This speech will become a legend. We saw a leader who truly has seven lives. Abu Hamza not only declared victory, but also recalled how the enemy army spokesman Daniel Hagari spoke about his liquidation in close combat that took place in a tunnel under Jebaliya.”

On May 23, 2024, the head of the IDF press service, Brigadier General Daniel Hagari, reported on May 23, 2024 that the assault teams of the 98th Division, the Air Force and special forces of the engineering forces eliminated Hussein Fiaj (Abu Hamza), the battalion commander, in a tunnel in the northern part of the Gaza Strip Hamas formations in Beit Hanoun.

Hagari added that the liquidated militant commander was responsible for launching anti-tank missiles into Israeli territory and mortar attacks on border villages.

By the time the material was published, Ynet had not received a comment from the IDF press service regarding the video distributed by the Palestinians.