The IDF accused Deniz Feneri of using its humanitarian status as a cover to fundraise for Hamas and employ militants, describing the setup as the cynical exploitation of the humanitarian sphere. The military stated that Qaisi was targeted for systematically violating a ceasefire by advancing attacks on Israeli civilians and troops. While initial reports from Gaza sources placed the strike in Deir al-Balah, the IDF later specified the location as Khan Younis.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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Israel Kills Turkish NGO Chief Identified as Hamas Nukhba Fighter
War16 days ago
An airstrike in the Khan Younis area of the Gaza Strip on October 4 left 10 people wounded and one dead. The Israel Defense Forces identified the deceased as Saqr Nabil Musa Qaisi, whom the military described as a member of Hamas's elite Nukhba Force who participated in the October 7, 2023, invasion of Israel. Qaisi simultaneously served as the Gaza director for the Deniz Feneri Association, a Turkish humanitarian organization.
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