The Israel Defense Forces confirmed Wednesday that it eliminated Hassam Shafai, a Hamas operative from the East Khan Younis Battalion, in an airstrike in southern Gaza on Tuesday. Shafai participated in the October 7, 2023, attack on Kibbutz Nirim, where Col. Hamami, Staff Sgt. Tomer Ahimas, and Sgt. Kiril Brodski were killed and their bodies taken into Gaza. The IDF said Shafai continued advancing attacks against Israeli forces throughout the war.
The IDF officially confirmed on Wednesday that it eliminated Hassam Shafai, a Hamas operative from the East Khan Younis Battalion, in an airstrike in southern Gaza on Tuesday. The military identified Shafai as a participant in the October 7, 2023, attack on Kibbutz Nirim, where Col. Asaf Hamami, commander of the Gaza Division's Southern Brigade, was killed alongside Staff Sgt. Tomer Ahimas and Sgt. Kiril Brodski, and their bodies were taken into Gaza. The IDF added that Shafai continued advancing attacks against Israeli forces throughout the war.
The Zioneer first reported the elimination at 14:59 Jerusalem on Wednesday, citing N12, which identified the terrorist as Hussam al-Shafie and noted his involvement in the abduction of the three soldiers. In subsequent statements at the same time, the IDF confirmed the elimination, naming the operative as Hassam Shafai, and released footage of the strike. Today's official confirmation from the military provides the full name and details of Shafai's continued activity.
The elimination is part of the IDF's ongoing campaign against perpetrators of the October 7 attacks. As The Zioneer reported on June 7, 2026, the IDF eliminated a senior Hamas commander involved in the October 7 infiltration at Kisufim. Similarly, on July 9, 2026, the IDF and Shin Bet confirmed the elimination of an Oct. 7 infiltrator who had been advancing terror plots. These operations underscore the military's sustained effort to target those responsible for the attack.
The IDF did not specify whether other operatives involved in the Kibbutz Nirim attack remain at large. Col. Hamami's body was returned to Israel in a November 2025 hostage deal, while the bodies of Ahimas and Brodski were recovered during IDF operations in Gaza in 2024.
7 developments
- DevelopingIDF eliminates Hamas operative who infiltrated Israel on October 7
- DevelopingIDF and Shin Bet eliminate another terrorist involved in Oct. 7 massacre and hostage-taking
- StrongIDF eliminates Hamas Oct. 7 infiltrator who was rebuilding terror capabilities in Gaza
- DevelopingIDF kills two Hamas operatives who carried out October 7 massacre in precision strikes
Source and signal
- Internal intake