IDF kills senior Hamas operative behind kidnapping of three Israeli women

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the killing of Hazem Avni Naim, a senior Hamas militant, in Gaza City, the army’s press service announced.

Naim held multiple positions within Hamas’ “Gaza City Brigade” and was closely associated with its commander, Izz al-Haddad, Caliber.Az reports.

He was primarily known as a senior operative in Hamas’ military intelligence.

In addition, Naim was responsible for holding three Israeli women who had been kidnapped: Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Naama Levi. The hostages had been abducted from different locations—Damari from her home in Kibbutz Kfar-Aza, Gonen from the Nova Festival, and Levi from a military observation base—but were all kept under Naim’s supervision.

The women remained in his custody until their release in a Hamas-mediated deal earlier this year. Notably, five days after Levi’s release, the IDF eliminated one of her captors. Naim, the main custodian, was targeted and killed on August 28 during a joint operation conducted by the IDF and Shin Bet.

By Khagan Isayev