KHAN YOUNIS (VINnews)-A Hamas company commander who served as a key figure in holding Israeli hostages and acted as the right-hand man to senior terror group leaders was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, the IDF and Shin Bet announced Friday.

Anas Mahmoud Ahmad Hamdan, a company commander in Hamas’s Khan Younis Brigade, was eliminated in a precise strike in the southern Gaza city, according to the military and security services.

The IDF and Shin Bet identified Hamdan as a central figure in the terror group’s hostage operations in Gaza, including during the ongoing war and the process of returning hostages to Israel. He was also responsible for Hamas propaganda efforts within the Khan Younis Brigade.

During the war, Hamdan held hostages and was tasked with documenting them during release ceremonies, the IDF said. Prior to the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas massacre, he was responsible for holding Israeli civilian Avera Mengistu hostage.

Hamdan additionally served for years — including throughout the current conflict — as the right-hand man to senior Hamas military wing leaders Muhammad Deif and Rafa’a Salameh.

The military said Hamdan was targeted due to his recent involvement in training terrorists and efforts to advance attacks against Israeli troops and civilians.

“The terrorist posed a threat to our forces operating in the Gaza Strip and was eliminated in precise aerial strikes,” the IDF stated.