IDF and Shin Bet Eliminate Key Terrorist Leader

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet have announced the killing of Muhammad Hassan Muhammad Awad, a senior commander in the Mujahideen Brigades, in an airstrike in Gaza. Awad was allegedly responsible for the abduction and murders of Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz. Awad was also implicated in the abduction and death of US-Israeli nationals Gadi Haggai and Judi Weinstein, as well as several Thai nationals. The bodies of Shiri and her sons were returned to Israel in February, revealing they were murdered, contrary to Hamas's claims of an Israeli airstrike. Awad was actively involved in recruiting operatives for attacks against Israelis, and the Mujahideen Brigades, with Awad as a key figure, carried out numerous attacks during the war.