The Israel Defense Forces said Wednesday that the elimination of Hassam Shafai, a Hamas operative from the East Khan Younis Battalion, was carried out using intelligence and directed by the Gaza Division's fire center. Shafai participated in the October 7, 2023, attack on Kibbutz Nirim, where Col. Asaf Hamami, Staff Sgt. Tomer Ahimas, and Sgt. Kiril Brodski were killed and their bodies taken. The IDF noted that all three served in the Gaza Division.
The Israel Defense Forces disclosed Wednesday afternoon that the airstrike that eliminated Hassam Shafai was directed by the Gaza Division's fire center using precise intelligence. The strike, carried out Tuesday in southern Gaza, killed Shafai, a Hamas operative from the East Khan Younis Battalion who participated in the October 7, 2023, attack on Kibbutz Nirim and the abduction of Col. Asaf Hamami, Staff Sgt. Tomer Ahimas, and Sgt. Kiril Brodski. The IDF confirmed the elimination at 14:59 Jerusalem; The Zioneer reported the confirmation at 15:22 Jerusalem. The new detail about the fire center's role was released at 15:27 Jerusalem.
The IDF's confirmation of Shafai's elimination came in a series of updates at 14:59 Jerusalem. The initial statement identified Shafai as a Hamas operative from the East Khan Younis Battalion involved in the abduction. Subsequent updates named him as Hussam al-Shafie, released strike footage, and confirmed his role in the attack on Kibbutz Nirim, where the three soldiers were killed and their bodies taken into Gaza. The military said Shafai continued to advance attacks against Israeli forces throughout the war.
The elimination is part of a broader IDF campaign targeting Hamas operatives involved in the October 7 massacre. As The Zioneer reported, the military has recently killed other Hamas operatives tied to hostage holding, including Sabai Abu Hasna (June 23) and Muhammad Jundiya (July 3). The Gaza Division, under which the three fallen soldiers served, directed the strike using its fire center.
The IDF has not elaborated on the specific intelligence source or the exact location of the strike beyond "southern Gaza." The military's statement indicates the strike was based on intelligence collection, but no further details on operational methods have been provided.
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