A Former Hostage's Revenge: The Hamas Operative Who Held Her Captive Has Been Eliminated
The IDF and Shin Bet confirmed the elimination of a senior Hamas operative who held three Israeli women captive, marking another key blow to the organization and bringing a sense of justice to a former hostage.
In a joint operation on August 28, 2025, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security AgeJustice Servedncy (Shin Bet) eliminated a senior Hamas operative, Hazem Awni, in Gaza City. The operation, led by the Southern Command, is part of a continued effort by Israeli security forces to neutralize threats to the country's citizens. Awni was a high-ranking member of Hamas’s Gaza City brigade and held a senior position in the organization's military intelligence during the war. He was also a close associate of the Gaza City brigade commander, Ezz al-Din Haddad.
Awni was directly responsible for the captivity of three Israeli women; Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Naama Levy, who were released in a prisoner exchange in January 2025. Following the announcement, Emily Damari shared her reaction on social media, expressing gratitude to the security forces "who never rest for a moment on behalf of all of us." Damari, who was held for over eight months, described Awni as a very evil man who served as the commander of her guards and those of fellow hostage Romi Gonen. She added her hope that the remaining hostages would return home "sooner than expected."
Awni's elimination follows another successful operation in June that targeted and killed Mohammed Nasser Ali Qanita, a Hamas operative from the Al-Furqan Battalion who also held Damari captive. Qanita was an infiltrator on October 7 and imprisoned Damari in his home. His elimination, months after Damari's release, was another step in Israel's campaign to pursue those who committed the October 7th massacre.
The IDF and Shin Bet have emphasized that they will continue to act with force against terror organizations in the Gaza Strip to remove all threats and prevent further harm to Israeli citizens. This relentless pursuit of those involved in the October 7th atrocities demonstrates Israel's commitment to ensuring that every individual who committed these acts is held accountable.