Israel's military eliminates Hamas terrorist who helped abduct American-Israeli hostage, 3 others

close Video Retired general says US policy must stick to its guns against Iran and Hezbollah Retired General Charles Wald analyzes the complex Middle East situation involving Iran, Israel and Hezbollah. Wald firmly states that Hezbollah acts as a proxy for Iran's IRGC and that the United States must support Israel in defending itself. He credits the current administration for its strong policy, asserting the need to maintain this approach in the region. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Hören Sie sich diesen Artikel an 2 Min The Israel Defense Forces announced Tuesday that it eliminated a Hamas terrorist who helped abduct American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who ultimately was murdered in the Gaza Strip. The IDF said Yousef Ayesh Awad Ramadan, a deputy commander of a Hamas Nukhba terrorist cell, was killed in the central Gaza Strip on Monday. Nukhba, which is Arabic for elite, is the special forces for the Al-Qassam Brigades, which is Hamas' military wing. "Ramadan infiltrated Israeli territory during the October 7th massacre and took part in the abduction of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eliya Cohen, Alon Ohel, and Or Levy from the bomb shelter at the Re’im Junction," the IDF said Tuesday. "In addition, throughout the war, and in recent weeks, the terrorist advanced attack plans against IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians. As such, he posed an immediate threat to IDF troops operating in the Gaza Strip," it continued. Hamas STRUGGLES TO FILL LEADERSHIP RANKS AS ISRAEL HUNTS OCTOBER 7 TERRORISTS Yousef Ayesh Awad Ramadan, a deputy commander of a Hamas Nukhba terrorist cell, was killed on Monday, June 1, 2026, the Israel Defense Forces said. (IDF) Goldberg-Polin survived almost 11 months in underground tunnels following his capture but was killed alongside other hostages in August 2024, while still in captivity. He was 23 at the time of his death. "According to our initial assessment, they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them," then- IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said. Goldberg-Polin was abducted at a music festival in southern Israel during Hamas' Oct. 7 attack against the Jewish State. He lost part of his left arm to a grenade in the attack. PENTAGON HOSTS FIRST-EVER ISRAELI-LEBANESE MILITARY TALKS AIMED AT CURBING Hezbollah Ambassador Danny Danon, Israel's permanent representative to the United Nations, holds a photo of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a hostage killed by Hamas, during a U.N. Security Council meeting on the Israel-Hamas conflict in New York City on Sept. 4, 2024. (David 'Dee' Delgado/Reuters) Eliya Cohen survived 505 days in captivity. He faced extreme starvation, was kept chained in tunnels, and had surgery for a gunshot wound without anesthesia. He was released in February 2025 as part of a negotiated deal. Or Levy survived 491 days in captivity. He endured harsh conditions and only learned after his release that his wife, Einav, had been killed in the Oct. 7 attack. He has since reunited with his young son. Fox News’ Yonat Friling, Robert McGreevy and Landon Mion contributed to this report.