IDF Strike Kills Hamas Operative Who Forced Omar Shem Tov to Kiss Him at Hostage Release

An Israeli strike on a family home in central Gaza yesterday killed Sabaei Abu Hasna, a Hamas shadow-unit operative accused of holding Israeli hostages, according to the report. The strike also killed Ahmed Samera Mohammed Washah, a Hamas military wing sniper and Al Jazeera cameraman whose death the IDF confirmed last night, and another Hamas operative, Abd al-Rahman Abu Gharqod.

The report says Abu Hasna was the terrorist whom hostage survivor Omar Shem Tov was forced to kiss on the forehead during the February 2025 hostage-release ceremony, a scene that drew wide attention at the time. It says the same ceremony also marked the release of Omer Wenkert and Eliya Cohen.

The IDF announced yesterday that Washah was killed in central Gaza alongside two other Hamas operatives, but only today did it become clear that the others were senior figures. Washah had served for years as an Al Jazeera photographer while also operating in Hamas's military wing.

In recent times, Washah promoted sniper plans and other terror attacks against IDF forces operating in the Gaza Strip. The report presents the strike as part of Israel's efforts against Hamas operatives involved in attacks and hostage holding.