Israel has claimed that it killed Asaad Abu Sharia, head of a small Gaza militant group, who it claims abducted several hostages, including Shiri Bibas and her two young sons Ariel and Kfir. The death of the Bibas family in an airstrike had plunged Israel into deep sorrow with Israeli authorities claiming Ariel and Kfir were murdered in "in cold blood" and "with bare hands".
Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson said Sharia was head of the Mujahideen Brigades, a relatively small Hamas-allied group in Palestine. Another senior member Mahmoud Kaheel was also killed. Asaad's brother Ahmed Abu Sharia also died in the airstrike that hit their family home in the Sabra area of Gaza City.
Mujahideen Brigades was one of the groups that took part in the October 7 attacks alongside Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Israeli military said Sharia was among those who stormed Kibbutz Nir Oz, a small Israeli community near the Gaza border. Mujahideen Brigades have claimed responsibility for rocket fire against Israel and operate in cooperation with Islamic Jihad‘s al-Quds Brigades.
Hamas has confirmed the death of Asaad Abu Sharia. "Secretary General of the Mujahideen Brigades Asaad Abu Sharia and his brother Ahmed Abu Sharia were killed in Israel’s strike on Gaza City," the statement reads, adding that Israel has repeatedly tried to neutralize Sharia over the 25 years that he was part of Palestinian armed groups.
Hamas said that before the start of the Al-Aqsa Storm battle, Sharia "sacrificed five of his brothers for the resistance". "He sacrificed more than 150 martyrs from his family, including his wife, children, brothers, and relatives, for the homeland," the statement said.
The Bibas family issued a statement in this regard. "The news represents another step for us in closing the circle and the process of accepting the great loss," adding, "Shiri, Ariel and Kfir will not return, but there is some comfort in knowing that the vile murderers will not harm another family."
