IDF says eliminated Hamas commander oversaw captivity of at least 15 Israeli hostages
The Hamas commander of the Northern Gaza Brigade who was eliminated earlier this week oversaw the captivity of Israeli hostages during the war, the IDF announced on Friday.
Izz al-Din Bik commanded and participated in the October 7 massacre and was responsible for holding at least 15 hostages throughout the war, including Mia Schem, Hisham al-Sayed, Amit Buskila, Uriel Baruch, Cpl. Nik Beizer, Sgt. Ron Sherman, Elia Toledano, Shani Louk, Michel Nisenbaum, Staff Sgt. Tamir Nimrodi, Yitzhak Gelerenter, Eitan Levy, Hanan Yablonka, Ron Benjamin, and Orion Hernandez.
The IDF also said Bik held several senior positions in Hamas, including commander of its Western Jabalia Battalion and head of the Northern Gaza Brigade’s military intelligence headquarters, roles in which he advanced and financed attacks against Israeli civilians.
“The elimination of the terrorist Izz al-Din Bik marks an important moment of closure for the IDF and ISA, which will continue to act decisively against the terrorists who took part in the October 7th Massacre,” the statement said.
