 The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said, before his death, that Abu al-Ata commanded the PIJ's efforts in the northern region of the Gaza Strip, and was responsible for several attacks carried out against Israel in 2019, such as missile strikes towards the Israeli city of Sderot in August, and against the city of Ashdod in September.According to the IDF, Abu al-Ata planned to execute additional attacks in the future.On 12 November 2019, the IDF killed Abu al-Ata in a targeted air strike.