IDF and Shin Bet Kill Senior Hamas Operative Behind October 7 Attack and Hostage Taking

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet security agency eliminated Adham Ibrahim Shaaban Nesman, the head of operations for Hamas's Gaza City Brigade, in an airstrike in the Gaza Strip on July 20, 2026. Nesman was responsible for directing the October 7, 2023, attack into Israel and held at least seven Israeli hostages, including Emily Damari.

Nesman held multiple senior roles within Hamas over the years, including intelligence officer and commander of the Shati Battalion, and recently led the Nukhba Battalion. As head of operations, he commanded the forces that breached Israeli territory during the massacre on October 7 and orchestrated numerous terror attacks against civilians and IDF soldiers. He was actively involved in maintaining Israeli captives such as Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, Ziv and Gali Berman, Eitan Mor, Matan Angrist, and Omri Miran.

In recent months, Nesman worked to rehabilitate Hamas’s military capabilities by training militants and facilitating the production and distribution of weapons to various brigades, actions that violated the ceasefire agreement.

Emily Damari, a former hostage, responded on Instagram to Nesman’s killing, calling him "the monster" and recalling his role in captivity. She emphasized that those involved in killing Jews cannot hide forever and referenced Israel’s historical stance following the Munich massacre, asserting that justice will be served for all terrorists involved in the October 7 atrocities. Damari described the killing as a step toward justice, not only revenge, underscoring the necessity of accountability for such crimes.