IDF Kills Hamas Terrorist Involved in Kidnapping of Colonel Asaf Hamami

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a targeted strike on Tuesday in the southern Gaza Strip, killing Hassam Shaafi, a terrorist from Hamas's Eastern Khan Yunis Battalion. Shaafi participated in the October 7 massacre and was directly involved in the kidnapping of Colonel Asaf Hamami, Sergeant First Class Tomer Ahimas, and Corporal Kirill Brodsky, all of whom were killed during the Hamas attack on Kibbutz Nirim before being abducted.

The IDF described Shaafi's elimination as a significant closure of the circle, noting that the operation was enabled by intelligence gathering and fire coordination led by the Gaza Division (Division 143). Colonel Hamami commanded the southern brigade under this division, while Ahimas and Brodsky served as fighters in his command post.

Shaafi remained active in Hamas operations after October 7, promoting terror activities and posing a threat to IDF forces in Gaza. Following the completion of intelligence collection, the IDF directed the strike in southern Gaza that killed him. The military did not disclose the exact location of the strike or whether other militants were hit. IDF Southern Command forces remain deployed in the area under existing agreements and will continue operations to neutralize immediate threats to troops operating in Gaza.