ByJERUSALEM POST STAFFJUNE 21, 2026 21:18Updated: JUNE 21, 2026 21:24The IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) announced on Sunday that they killed a Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorist who participated in the kidnapping of then-12-year-old Yagil Yaakov from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7 massacre.The PIJ terrorist was identified as Zaki Youssef Mahmoud Abu Mustafa. He was killed in a strike in the Gaza Strip on Friday, according to the IDF and Shin Bet.Yaakov was released from terror captivity in November 2023, as part of the first wave of hostages who were freed.Mustafa, who was the Nukhba commander of the PIJ’s Khan Yunis Brigade, has played a significant role in attempting to rebuild the terrorist organization’s capabilities, according to the IDF and Shin Bet.He was additionally responsible for advancing a number of terrorist attacks against Israeli troops operating in Gaza and exploiting Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, attempting to train terrorists at the facility.This is a developing story.Follow us on Google