Israeli authorities said senior Hamas commander Adham Ibrahim Sha’aban Nasman had been killed in an airstrike in Gaza City over the preceding weekend, describing him as an important figure in the organization’s wartime operations and efforts to rebuild its forces.
The Israel Defence Forces and the Shin Bet security agency identified Nasman as the head of operations for Hamas’ Gaza City Brigade. They alleged that he directed the brigade’s infiltration into southern Israel during the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023, and participated in holding several Israeli hostages in Gaza. Independent confirmation of his death and the allegations against him was not immediately available, and Hamas had not issued a detailed response to the Israeli announcement.
According to the Israeli agencies, Nasman previously commanded Hamas’ elite Nukhba Force, served as the Gaza City Brigade’s intelligence officer and led its Al-Shati Battalion. Israel accused him of planning and coordinating attacks against Israeli forces while holding those positions.
Israeli officials also claimed that Nasman remained active throughout the war. In recent months, they said, he had worked to reorganize Hamas personnel in Gaza City, train militants and oversee the manufacture and distribution of weapons to the group’s battalions. The military characterized those activities as an attempt to restore Hamas’ military infrastructure and said they violated the existing ceasefire agreement.
Former Israeli hostage Emily Damari responded to the announcement on social media, saying Nasman was known as “Sheikh Ibrahim” during her captivity. Damari alleged that he held her and Romi Gonen and that she heard him speaking by telephone with senior Hamas figures. Former hostage Ziv Berman also welcomed the reported killing in a separate social-media statement.
The Israeli military said its Southern Command troops remained deployed in the area under the terms of the agreement and would continue acting against threats. The supplied account did not provide details about the precise location of the strike, other casualties or the evidence used to identify Nasman as among those killed.
Israel separately announced that another strike killed Asma Kamal Shehadeh Abu Tim, whom it identified as a Hamas military-wing cell commander. The military alleged that Abu Tim took part in the October 7 attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz and was involved in the abductions of Nurit Cooper, Amiram Cooper and Alexander Dancyg. It further claimed she had recently been preparing attacks against Israeli troops and civilians. Those assertions also lacked immediate independent verification.
The announcements formed part of Israel’s continuing campaign against Hamas commanders and military infrastructure in Gaza. Israeli authorities have said their objectives include degrading the group’s operational capacity and securing the release of hostages who remain in the territory.
