IDF kills Hamas terrorist who took IDF soldiers' remains hostage during Oct. 7 massacre

The Israeli military announced Wednesday that it had killed a Hamas terrorist responsible for abducting the remains of three IDF soldiers during the October 7 massacre. The terrorist, identified as Hussam al-Shafie, infiltrated Kibbutz Nirim and took the remains of Col. Asaf Hamami, St.-Sgt. Tomer Yaakov Ahimas, and Sgt. Kiril Brodski into the Gaza Strip.

Al-Shafie was a member of the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades' Eastern Khan Yunis Battalion. The military confirmed that the strike on al-Shafie was executed following intelligence gathering and under the direction of the 143rd Gaza Division.

Col. Asaf Hamami, who commanded the Gaza Division’s Southern Brigade, was among the soldiers killed in action defending the kibbutz during the massacre. Ahimas and Brodski were soldiers serving under his command. Hamami was one of the most senior IDF officers killed on October 7 and the highest-ranking officer whose remains were abducted by terrorists.