The IDF and Shin Bet killed Najjar on August 10, publishing the confirmation on Tuesday.
Israeli security forces killed a Hamas terrorist who participated in the abduction of Yarden Bibas on October 7, 2023, in Kibbutz Nir Oz, the IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) said in a joint statement Tuesday.
The terrorist was identified as Jihad Kamal Salem Najjar, who was killed in a military strike on August 10.
IDF kills Jihad Kamal Salem Najjar, August 19, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON’S UNIT)
Yarden Bibas responds to the announcement
Yarden Bibas responded to the announcement later on Tuesday.
“A small part of my closure happened today. Thank you to the IDF, the Shin Bet, and everyone who took part in eliminating one of the terrorists who kidnapped me on October 7. Thanks to you, he will no longer be able to harm anyone,” Bibas said.
“Please keep yourselves heroes. I am waiting for the full closure with the return of my friends David and Ariel and the other 48 hostages,” he added.
Yarden Bibas gives his eulogy at the funeral for Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas (credit: screenshot, SECTION 27A COPYRIGHT ACT)
IDF, Shin Bet killed kidnapper of other Bibas family members in April
The IDF and Shin Bet struck and killed Mohammed Hassan Mohammed Awad, a senior commander in the Military Intelligence Array in the Gaza Strip, the IDF announced in April.
He was affiliated with senior commanders of the Palestinian Mujahideen terrorist organization.
On October 7, Awad infiltrated Nir Oz multiple times. He was one of the leaders of the massacre and was likely personally involved in the abductions and brutal murders of Shiri Bibas and her sons, Ariel and Kfir.
The other members of the Bibas family were all killed by terrorists, with coffins containing their remains being returned to Israel in February.
Yarden Bibas revealed that during his captivity in Gaza, he asked former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar to allow him to stay with his best friend, David Cunio, he told N12 in an interview aired on May 20, a day before Cunio’s 35th birthday.
The interview also featured David’s wife, Sharon Cunio, and his twin brother, Eitan, in an attempt to bring renewed attention to David’s continued captivity.
Bibas was informed about his wife’s and children’s death by Hamas while he was on camera, he told CBS News in March. The terrorist organization filmed him as it delivered the news to him, then told him that Shiri’s, Ariel’s, and Kfir’s deaths were of no consequence.
