IDF Kills Hamas Terrorist Who Held Hostages Romi Gonen, Noa Marciano

The IDF and Shin Bet announced they eliminated Abd al-Rahim Abd al-Hay Youssef Kardi, a deputy commander of a Hamas military wing cell who also served as a doctor at Shifa Hospital, in an airstrike in the Gaza City area. According to the military, Kardi infiltrated Israeli territory during the October 7 massacre and, in the early stages of the war, was directly involved in holding hostage Romi Gonen in Gaza City and at Shifa Hospital. He was also involved in holding the body of Sgt. Maj. Noa Marciano after her murder in captivity, keeping her remains in the area until IDF forces were able to recover them.

The IDF said Kardi did not simply fade into a civilian medical role after October 7, but continued advancing terror attacks against Israeli troops and civilians throughout the war and in recent months, ultimately posing enough of an ongoing threat that he was targeted and killed in an aerial strike. Military officials described the case as yet another example of Hamas operatives embedding themselves within civilian institutions, in this instance a hospital, while secretly continuing to direct terrorist activity behind the cover of a medical position. Romi Gonen, who survived her captivity and was released, responded to news of Kardi's death directly, writing that he had "destroyed my innocence" but declaring, "this terrorist is in hell today and I am alive," adding that while his death would not erase what happened, justice had been done.

The elimination of Kardi comes as the IDF continues targeted operations against remaining Hamas operatives even after the recent disarmament agreement, with officials reiterating that Israeli forces will keep operating until every threat tied to the October 7 attacks and the ongoing war has been neutralized. For families like Marciano's, whose daughter was murdered in captivity after being brought to Shifa Hospital, the strike offers a measure of closure, even as it underscores how deeply Hamas's military wing embedded itself within Gaza's civilian and medical infrastructure throughout the conflict.