IDF and Shin Bet: Slain Hamas Commander Held Israeli Soldiers
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet security agency revealed on Thursday that a Hamas commander killed in Gaza this week, Na'el Abu A'bid, was involved for years in holding Israeli soldiers and civilians abducted to the Strip. Abu A'bid, who commanded Hamas's Rafah Brigade, was reportedly involved in holding captives since at least 2014, including the late Second Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, who was taken during Operation Protective Edge that year. At the time, Abu A'bid served as deputy commander of the Rafah Brigade and played a role in Goldin's captivity.
Intelligence research indicates Abu A'bid's involvement in holding hostages continued after the October 7th Hamas massacre. The IDF and Shin Bet stated he was involved in holding several captives, including Sergeant Nimrod Cohen, who was held in an underground facility in the Rafah area. The IDF and Shin Bet described Abu A'bid's elimination as a "significant closing of a circle" and vowed to continue operations against terrorists involved in the October 7th attacks.
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