Israeli forces announced they have killed a Hamas militant involved in the kidnapping of Yarden Bibas, a father abducted during the October 7, 2023, attack. This incident has drawn significant attention, particularly as it involved the Bibas family, whose abduction highlighted the violence of the Hamas-led assault. The Israeli military and the Shin Bet security agency reported that Jihad Kamal Salem Najjar was targeted and killed on August 10, 2024.
According to the statement, Najjar was a member of Hamas’s military wing and participated in the abduction of Yarden Bibas during the initial attack. The authorities shared an image purportedly showing Mr. Bibas, bleeding in the back of a pickup truck, alongside Najjar. Verification of this image by independent sources, including The New York Times, has not been achieved, and Hamas typically refrains from commenting on such claims.
The Bibas family has become emblematic of the trauma endured during the conflict. Shiri Bibas, aged 32 at the time of her abduction, was captured alongside their two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, ages 4 and approximately nine months, respectively. Tragically, Shiri’s parents were also killed during the attack. A widely circulated video depicted a distressed Shiri clutching her children as they were taken to Gaza.
In November 2023, Hamas announced that Shiri and the children were killed in an Israeli airstrike, a statement later contradicted by Israeli authorities who concluded, through forensic analysis, that they had been murdered by their captors. Under a temporary ceasefire in February, Yarden Bibas was released, and the remains of his wife and children were returned to Israel.
In response to the news of Najjar’s death, Yarden Bibas expressed gratitude to the Israeli authorities, stating, “a small part of my closure happened today.” He continued, emphasizing his ongoing search for closure with the return of his friends David and Ariel Cunio, who are still held in Gaza.
The Israeli announcement comes during a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has spurred international criticism of Israeli actions and increased pressure domestically for a resolution to the ongoing war. On Sunday, around 400,000 Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv to advocate for a ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages, believed to number approximately 20, with many relatives urging the government to avoid escalating military operations in the region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a complex political landscape as he navigates pressure from the public for a truce and demands from his far-right coalition partners who oppose any ceasefire. Earlier this month, the Israeli security cabinet approved a controversial plan to take control of Gaza City, which could displace hundreds of thousands of Palestinians seeking shelter.
Meanwhile, Hamas indicated on Monday that it accepted terms for a deal proposed by mediators from Qatar and Egypt. Some Israeli officials speculate that Hamas’s agreement is a reaction to the Israeli government’s announcement of an expanded military operation in Gaza. Far-right members of Netanyahu’s coalition have warned that they might withdraw support if he agrees to a ceasefire.
In a separate development, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced a significant increase in the defense budget, raising it by $8 billion, a more than 25 percent increase. The defense ministry confirmed that Katz is in discussions with senior officials regarding offensive plans in Gaza.
The conflict that began on October 7, 2023, resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of 250 individuals from Israel. The ongoing hostilities have led to over 62,000 Palestinian fatalities, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between combatants and civilians.
Reporting contributions were provided by Johnatan Reiss and Abu Bakr Bashir.