Hamas Terrorist Who Forced Hostage to Kiss Him Eliminated in IDF Strike
Israeli forces have eliminated two Hamas operatives, one a Nukhba commander involved in the October 7, 2023, massacre and another who humiliated a released hostage, as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle the terrorist group’s network. These targeted operations highlight Israel’s commitment to pursuing those responsible for attacks and abuses against its citizens.
Israeli forces have neutralized two Hamas operatives linked to the October 7, 2023, massacre and the mistreatment of hostages. Last week, in southern Khan Yunis, IDF troops eliminated Muhammad Naif Abu Shamala, a commander in Hamas’s elite Nukhba unit. Abu Shamala infiltrated Israel during the brutal October 7 attack, participating in an attempted assault on the Ma’aras IDF Post. Throughout the ongoing conflict, he orchestrated numerous terrorist operations targeting IDF personnel and Israeli civilians, according to the military. The IDF and Israel Security Agency (ISA) reaffirmed their commitment, stating, “The IDF and ISA will continue to operate against the terrorists who took part in the brutal October 7th massacre.”
In a separate operation on Tuesday, August 19, in Dir al-Balah, central Gaza, Hamas operative Ghassan Salot was killed. Salot gained infamy in February 2025 for forcing freed hostage Omer Shem Tov to kiss his forehead during a release ceremony, a degrading act that drew widespread condemnation.
Shem Tov, in a harrowing interview earlier this year, described the brutal conditions of his captivity. He recounted being ordered to attack IDF soldiers with explosives, refusing despite threats to his life. “They told me: ‘When the soldiers enter the house, you detonate.’ I told them no. They threatened to shoot me in the head, I said, ‘So shoot,’” he revealed. The elimination of Salot and Abu Shamala marks a continued effort to dismantle Hamas’s operational capabilities. These operations reflect Israel’s strategy to target key figures responsible for the October 7 attack, which killed 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage, while addressing ongoing threats in Gaza. The IDF’s actions underscore a broader campaign to neutralize Hamas leadership and operatives, amidst heightened regional tensions.