Revenge for 16 year-old Daniel Viflic: Key Hamas leader behind 2011 school bus attack eliminated

Among those killed were Ahmad Salman ‘Awj Shimali, the deputy commander of Hamas' Gaza Brigade, and Jamil Omar Jamil Wadiya, the commander of Hamas' Shejaiya Battalion.

Ahmad Salman ‘Awj Shimali was a key figure in Hamas' operations, responsible for planning offensive strategies and building the Gaza Brigade's strength in preparation for Hamas's large-scale assault on Israel. Shimali's role in the brutal massacre that occurred on October 7, 2023, marked a significant chapter in Hamas' continued violence against Israel. The IDF's efforts to degrade Hamas' military capabilities through targeted strikes have been aimed at removing immediate threats to Israeli security.

In addition to Shimali, Jamil Omar Jamil Wadiya, who led Hamas' Shejaiya Battalion throughout the war, was also eliminated. Wadiya had taken over as the battalion's commander after Wessam Farhat was killed in December 2023. He was deeply involved in coordinating attacks against IDF forces during the war and played a crucial role in reorganizing and deploying his battalion. Notably, Wadiya was responsible for orchestrating the anti-tank missile attack on a school bus in April 2011, an attack that killed 16-year-old Daniel Viflic.

The tragic incident occurred when a Hamas cell targeted a yellow school bus in southern Israel, which was carrying Daniel Viflic and the driver. Despite Israeli forces knowing that a Hamas cell was planning to target vehicles, a tragic oversight allowed civilian vehicles, including the school bus, to pass through a closed-off area meant for military vehicles only. The attack resulted in the death of Daniel Viflic, and for years, his family and the Israeli public sought justice for the brutal killing. With the elimination of key Hamas leaders like Wadiya, the Israeli military has effectively closed a painful chapter in this case, holding responsible those behind the attack.

The IDF's targeted operations against Hamas continue as part of broader efforts to dismantle the terrorist organization's leadership and infrastructure in Gaza, ensuring the safety of Israeli citizens and troops.