IDF: Hamas military commander killed in southern Gaza PHOTO / UPDATED

On July 21, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it had killed a Hamas military commander in southern Gaza, identifying him as Asma Kamal Shehadeh Abu Tim.

In a statement, the Israeli military said Abu Tim commanded a cell within Hamas' military wing and took part in the October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel. According to the IDF, he infiltrated Kibbutz Nir Oz during the assault and was involved in the abduction of Nurit Cooper, Amiram Cooper and Alexander Dancig.

The military said Abu Tim had continued to take part in attacks against Israeli troops and civilians throughout the conflict, including in recent months.

The IDF added that it had taken precautionary measures before carrying out the strike to minimise the risk of civilian casualties.

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Israel’s military and domestic security agency said they had killed a senior Hamas operative in Gaza City, identifying him as Adam Ibrahim Shaaban Nasman, a key figure in the group’s Gaza City Brigade.

In a statement, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet security service said Nasman headed the brigade’s operations department and was targeted in the Gaza City area.

According to the Israeli military, Nasman played a central role in directing militants who infiltrated southern Israel during the October 7, 2023 attack. It said he later took part in holding Israeli hostages.

The IDF said Nasman had previously served in multiple positions within Hamas, including as an intelligence officer in the Gaza City Brigade and as commander of the Shati Battalion. In those roles, he was responsible for planning and carrying out numerous attacks against Israeli forces and the State of Israel.

The Israeli statement added that in recent months Nasman had been involved in training militants and supporting the production and distribution of weapons, as part of what it described as efforts to rebuild Hamas’ military capabilities. The IDF said such activity violated the terms of a ceasefire agreement.

By Tamilla Hasanova