The IDF and Shin Bet eliminated Sabai Abu Hasna, a Hamas Nukhba terrorist who infiltrated on October 7 and took part in holding hostage Omer Shem Tov, in a precise strike in northern Gaza over the weekend. The same strike killed Ahmed Washah, a Hamas operative who worked as a photojournalist for Al Jazeera and served as a sniper. A separate strike killed three other armed Hamas operatives, the military said.
The IDF and Shin Bet confirmed Monday evening that a precision strike over the weekend in northern Gaza killed Sabai Zaher Abd al-Hamid Abu Hasna, a Hamas Nukhba terrorist who held hostage Omer Shem Tov, and, in the same strike, Ahmed Samir Muhammad Washah, a Hamas military wing operative who worked as a photojournalist for Al Jazeera and served as a sniper for the group. The confirmation, which followed a day of evolving reports, also detailed that a separate strike eliminated three armed Hamas operatives preparing attacks.
This development caps a thread The Zioneer has tracked since Sunday: initial reports on Sunday identified Abu Hasna as a 'Shadow Unit' operative who forced Shem Tov to kiss him during the release ceremony. By Monday morning, The Zioneer reported that a security source had named Ahmed Washah and a third operative, Abd al-Rahman Abu Gharkud, as killed in the same strike. Later Monday, the IDF confirmed Abu Hasna's elimination in a statement, and by evening, the military disclosed that Washah was also a sniper operative and said steps were taken to mitigate civilian harm. Earlier this evening, The Zioneer also reported the confirmation of a second Nukhba commander involved in the abduction of Yagil Yaakov.
As The Zioneer reported on Sunday and Monday, the IDF has been conducting precision strikes against Nukhba operatives who participated in the October 7 attacks and subsequent hostage holding, including Abu Hasna and, over the past weeks, commanders involved in the Kisufim and Nir Oz infiltrations. The military stated Monday that troops under Southern Command remain deployed in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.
The strike that killed Washah raises the recurring question of militants using journalistic cover. The IDF said Washah's brother—killed in April—operated in the same pattern. The full extent of Washah's operational activity and any additional operatives killed in the separate strike remain as reported.
6 developments
- DevelopingIDF strike kills third Hamas operative tied to hostage holding, security source says
- StrongIDF eliminates a terrorist in UAV strike in northern Gaza
- DevelopingTerrorist involved in Oct. 7 massacre and hostage-taking eliminated in Gaza, report says
- DevelopingIDF strike kills Hamas cell leader in southern Gaza; 8 reported dead in tent camp attack
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