The Israeli military says it has killed several Hamas commanders in a series of precision airstrikes across southern and central Gaza, including operatives it accuses of participating in the October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel and overseeing the captivity of Israeli hostages.
The latest operations targeted senior members of Hamas’ military wing whom Israeli authorities say played central roles in cross border attacks, hostage abductions and efforts to rebuild the group’s military capabilities during the ongoing war.
Hamas has not immediately issued a comprehensive response to the latest claims, although the group has previously confirmed some senior commanders’ deaths while disputing other Israeli announcements.
Israel’s military and the Shin Bet security agency announced that multiple Hamas commanders were killed in separate strikes over the past several days, including Osama Kamal Shadah Abu Tim and Adham Ibrahim Sha’aban Nasman.
Israeli officials say both men were directly involved in the October 7 attack and later played roles in hostage operations inside Gaza.
The strikes form part of Israel’s continuing campaign to eliminate Hamas commanders following the attacks that triggered the war nearly three years ago.
What We Know So Far
The Israel Defense Forces said Osama Kamal Shadah Abu Tim, a Hamas cell commander, was killed Sunday during an airstrike in southern Gaza near Khan Younis.
Israeli authorities said Abu Tim participated in the October 7, 2023 assault on Kibbutz Nir Oz, where he allegedly helped abduct Israeli civilians including Nurit Cooper, Amiram Cooper and Alexander Dancyg.
The military also accused him of directing attacks against Israeli troops and civilians throughout the conflict.
In a separate operation, the Israel Defense Forces and the Shin Bet announced the death of Adham Ibrahim Sha’aban Nasman, who served as head of operations for Hamas’ Gaza City Brigade.
Israeli officials said Nasman directed Hamas fighters during the October 7 infiltration into southern Israel and later participated in holding several Israeli hostages inside Gaza.
Those hostages included Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, brothers Ziv and Gali Berman, Eitan Mor, Matan Angrest and Omri Miran, Israeli authorities said.
Military officials stated that Nasman was killed during an Israeli strike in Gaza City over the weekend.
Israeli security agencies also linked him to efforts to rebuild Hamas military infrastructure, train new fighters and restore operational capabilities after months of Israeli military operations.
In separate announcements, the Israeli military also identified other Hamas commanders recently killed during operations in Gaza.
These include Anas Mahmoud Ahmad Hamdan, described as a Hamas company commander who Israeli officials said held Israeli hostages and served as a close aide to senior Hamas leaders before being killed in Khan Younis on July 16.
The military also identified Sakr Abu Karim, whom it described as a commander in Hamas’ elite assault force involved in attacks near Kissufim during the October 7 assault. Israeli officials said he was killed on June 7.
Another commander, Yahya Saeed Muhammad Hamdan, identified as head of a Hamas assault unit, was killed in an airstrike on July 9, while Adel Jihad Mohammad Asfour, a Hamas platoon commander, was killed during operations earlier this month, the military said.
What Authorities Are Saying
The Israel Defense Forces said Abu Tim infiltrated Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7 attack and later continued planning attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians.
Military officials said his death removes another commander involved in both the initial assault and subsequent military operations.
Regarding Nasman, the Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet said he commanded Hamas operations during the October 7 infiltration from Gaza City and later guarded several Israeli hostages.
Former hostage Emily Damari later described Nasman as a brutal figure whose conduct influenced other Hamas militants, Israeli media reported.
The military said both operations were conducted using intelligence gathered jointly by the Israel Defense Forces and the Shin Bet.
Hamas has not independently verified the Israeli claims regarding the identities, responsibilities or circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Why This Matters
Israel has consistently prioritized eliminating Hamas commanders connected to the October 7 attacks while attempting to weaken the group’s command structure.
Targeting operational leaders serves several military objectives, including disrupting command networks, reducing planning capabilities and limiting efforts to reorganize armed units.
The operations also carry symbolic importance for Israel because many of the commanders targeted are accused of participating in hostage kidnappings that remain one of the most sensitive issues in Israeli society.
At the same time, these targeted killings have not ended the conflict or secured the release of all remaining hostages, illustrating the limits of military action alone in resolving the broader crisis.
The continued focus on commanders connected to hostage operations also reflects the Israeli government’s effort to demonstrate progress in dismantling Hamas leadership while negotiations over remaining captives continue through international mediators.
The latest strikes highlight Israel’s continued shift toward intelligence driven operations targeting individual Hamas leaders rather than relying solely on broad military offensives.
Israeli officials view the elimination of experienced commanders as a way to weaken Hamas’ ability to reorganize after nearly three years of fighting.
However, military analysts have noted that while removing senior leaders can disrupt command structures, militant organizations often replace commanders over time, allowing operational networks to adapt.
The hostage issue remains a major factor shaping Israeli military strategy.
Officials continue to prioritize individuals believed to have played direct roles in hostage kidnappings or detention, partly because these operations carry significant public and political importance inside Israel.
Meanwhile, humanitarian concerns remain high as fighting continues across Gaza, where international organizations have repeatedly warned about civilian casualties, displacement and worsening humanitarian conditions.
What Happens Next
Israeli military operations against Hamas leadership are expected to continue as intelligence agencies pursue additional commanders believed to have participated in the October 7 attacks or current military operations.
Hamas has previously responded to targeted killings by appointing replacement commanders and continuing armed operations, suggesting the conflict is unlikely to ease in the immediate future.
Negotiations involving international mediators over the remaining Israeli hostages are also expected to continue alongside ongoing military operations, although repeated fighting has complicated diplomatic efforts.
Sources: Shin Bet, Al Jazeera, Jerusalem News Syndicate (JNS), Ynet Global
