IDF confirms elimination of terrorist who kidnapped three soldiers on Oct 7

Al-Bqqin abducted soldiers Ron Sherman, the late Nik Beizer, and Tamir Nimrodi. Nimrodi remains in Hamas captivity.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

The Israel Defense Forces and the Shin Bet announced Wednesday that they have killed Abdullah Saeed Abd al-Baqin, a senior Hamas commander responsible for kidnapping three Israeli soldiers during the October 7, 2023, massacre.

According to the joint statement, al-Baqin was eliminated in an August 7 strike in the central Jabaliya area.

He served as deputy commander of a Nukhba company in Hamas’ Central Jabaliya battalion — a role placing him in the group’s elite commando force.

On October 7, al-Baqin infiltrated Israeli territory, took part in the assault on the Erez District Coordination and Liaison office, and abducted soldiers Ron Sherman, the late Nik Beizer, and Tamir Nimrodi. Nimrodi remains in Hamas captivity.

The military said al-Baqin was not only involved in the initial massacre but also directed numerous attacks on Israeli forces during the current war, promoting what the statement described as “numerous terrorist plots” in the region.

His death comes nearly two years after the deadly raid that left over 1,000 people dead in Israel and saw dozens of civilians and soldiers taken hostage into Gaza.

The IDF described the targeted strike as part of its ongoing effort to dismantle Hamas’ command infrastructure and bring home those still held in captivity.

Earlier this week, the IDF also confirmed the killing of Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif in a targeted strike.

Israeli officials said documents recovered in Gaza identified al-Sharif as a Hamas Nukhba member and rocket squad leader, despite his journalist credentials.

Al-Sharif had publicly praised the October 7 massacre on social media, referring to it as a “jihad of victory and martyrdom.”

Al Jazeera, which is funded by the Qatari government, has strongly denied the allegations.