Daijiworld Media Network- Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv, Jul 15: In a significant counter-terrorism operation, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) have confirmed the elimination of seven senior Hamas terrorists in an airstrike carried out last week in Gaza. Notably, all seven had been previously released as part of the controversial 2011 Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange deal.
Among the eliminated operatives were Riyad Asila and Bassem Abu Sanina — both convicted for the 1998 fatal stabbing of Israeli civilian Haim Kerman in Jerusalem. The duo, originally sentenced to lengthy prison terms, were released and deported to Gaza under the 2011 deal that saw Israel free 1,027 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the safe return of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
Post-release, Asila joined Hamas's so-called "Jerusalem Department," where he was involved in recruiting operatives from East Jerusalem and directing terror activities from Gaza into Israel. According to Shin Bet, he continued “to promote terrorist operations against the State of Israel.”
Another prominent figure neutralized in the strike was Mahmoud Saria, responsible for the 1996 murder of IDF Staff Sgt. Ehud (Udi) Tal at the Dotan Civil Administration centre. Like his counterparts, Saria returned to active terror operations after being released.
All seven targeted terrorists were reportedly members of Hamas's “Judea and Samaria Headquarters,” playing key roles in recruiting attackers, coordinating logistics, and transferring arms and funds to cells operating in the West Bank.
“These terrorists had a long history of murderous activity and were instrumental in orchestrating and supporting Hamas’s terror campaign from Gaza,” said a joint statement by Shin Bet and the IDF.
Additionally, Israeli forces confirmed the elimination of Muhammad Adin, the commander of Hamas’s Daraj Tuffah battalion, in an airstrike northeast of Gaza City. Reports suggest Adin was accompanied by other senior commanders at the time of the strike.
This latest wave of targeted operations follows a series of high-profile eliminations of Hamas leadership, including Muhammad Sinwar (brother of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar), Rafah Brigade commander Muhammad Shabana, and Hakam al-Issa — a founding figure of the group and its head of combat support.
The strikes come in the wake of Hamas’s brutal assault on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7, which left at least 1,180 people dead and 252 hostages taken. As of now, around 50 hostages remain in captivity, with nearly 30 feared dead.
Israel continues its intensive military and intelligence operations aimed at dismantling Hamas's infrastructure and leadership, with officials reiterating that those involved in past and ongoing attacks will be held accountable — regardless of past deals or international pressure.