JERUSALEM (VINnews) – The Israel Defense Forces eliminated a senior Hamas terrorist responsible for abducting four Israeli hostages from a roadside bomb shelter during the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre, the military announced Tuesday.

Yousef Ayesh Awad Ramadan, a deputy commander in Hamas’ Nukhba forces, was killed in an airstrike Monday in the central Gaza Strip, the IDF said.

Ramadan infiltrated Israeli territory near the Gaza border community of Re’im on Oct. 7 and participated in the abduction of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eliya Cohen, Alon Ohel and Or Levy from the bomb shelter at the Re’im Junction, according to the military.

In addition to his role in the initial attack, Ramadan continued to plan assaults against IDF troops and Israeli civilians in recent weeks and posed an immediate threat to forces operating in Gaza, the IDF said.

The military said it took extensive measures prior to the strike to reduce the risk of harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and aerial surveillance.

IDF troops under Southern Command remain deployed in the area in accordance with the current agreement and will continue operations to neutralize ongoing threats, the statement added.

No further details on the strike were immediately released.