SouthernWorldwide.com – The Israel Defense Forces announced on Tuesday the elimination of a Hamas terrorist instrumental in the abduction of American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was later confirmed to have been murdered in the Gaza Strip.
The IDF identified the slain terrorist as Yousef Ayesh Awad Ramadan, who held the position of deputy commander within a Hamas Nukhba terrorist cell. His death occurred in central Gaza on Monday.
Nukhba, an Arabic term signifying “elite,” designates the special forces unit of the Al-Qassam Brigades, which serves as Hamas’ military wing.
The IDF stated that Ramadan actively participated in the October 7th massacre, infiltrating Israeli territory and playing a role in the abduction of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eliya Cohen, Alon Ohel, and Or Levy from a bomb shelter near the Re’im Junction.
Furthermore, the IDF highlighted that Ramadan had been advancing attack plans against both IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians throughout the ongoing conflict, particularly in recent weeks. This made him an immediate threat to IDF forces operating in Gaza.
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Hersh Goldberg-Polin endured nearly 11 months of captivity in underground tunnels before his death. He was tragically killed along with other hostages in August 2024, while still held by Hamas. He was 23 years old at the time of his demise.
Then-IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated, “According to our initial assessment, they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them.”
Goldberg-Polin was originally taken hostage from a music festival in southern Israel during the Hamas attacks on October 7th.
He sustained a severe injury during the attack, losing part of his left arm due to a grenade.
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Eliya Cohen, another abductee, survived 505 days in captivity. His ordeal included extreme starvation, being kept chained in tunnels, and undergoing surgery for a gunshot wound without anesthesia.
Cohen was eventually released in February 2025 as part of a negotiated agreement.
Or Levy was held hostage for 491 days. He endured harsh conditions and only learned after his release that his wife, Einav, had been killed in the October 7th attack. He has since been reunited with their young son.
Alon Ohel spent over two years as a hostage in Gaza before his release in October of the previous year.
A gifted pianist, Ohel suffered starvation, torture, and serious eye injuries from a grenade during his captivity. He was freed on October 13, 2025, through a deal brokered by the United States and has since returned home to recover.
He is now actively performing with Israeli artists, showcasing his resilience and talent.
