In a significant counterterrorism operation on April 4, 2025, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet security agency announced the elimination of Muhammad Hassan Muhammad Awad, a senior commander of the Mujahideen Brigades. Awad was identified as the orchestrator behind the abduction of Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, and was believed to have played a direct role in their subsequent murders.
Background of the Abduction
On October 7, 2023, during a coordinated assault led by Hamas, Awad infiltrated Kibbutz Nir Oz. He led the kidnapping of Shiri Bibas and her sons—Ariel, aged 4, and Kfir, a mere 9 months old at the time—making Kfir the youngest hostage taken during the conflict. The Bibas family was among several civilians abducted during these incursions.
Tragic Outcome and Recovery Efforts
In the ensuing weeks, reports emerged that Shiri and her children had been killed while in captivity. Hamas claimed they perished in an Israeli airstrike; however, forensic examinations contradicted this narrative. Dr. Chen Kugel, head of Israel’s National Center of Forensic Medicine, stated that the bodies showed no injuries consistent with a bombing, suggesting they were murdered by other means.
The return of the Bibas family’s remains was fraught with complications. Initially, Hamas handed over the body of an unidentified woman instead of Shiri Bibas, leading to further anguish for the grieving family. Eventually, the correct remains were returned, and the family could proceed with burial rites.
Details of the Targeted Operation
The IDF and Shin Bet conducted a precise airstrike in the northern Gaza Strip to target Awad. The Mujahideen Brigades, a relatively small but lethal terrorist organization in Gaza, confirmed his death, acknowledging his role as a senior military commander and head of their intelligence division.
Implications and Ongoing Efforts
Awad’s elimination marks a significant milestone in Israel’s efforts to dismantle terrorist networks responsible for attacks on its civilians. The IDF emphasized that Awad was also involved in recruiting operatives in the West Bank and Israel, facilitating further attacks against Israeli targets. The Mujahideen Brigades, aligned with Hamas, have been implicated in multiple assaults on Israeli forces and civilians.
