Israel says it killed Samir Abu Younis, commander of Hamas's Rafah Brigade, in an airstrike in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. Hamas confirmed his death.
Israel said Sunday it killed a senior Hamas commander in an overnight airstrike in southern Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces identified the commander as Samir Mahmoud Hassan Abu Younis, who led Hamas's Rafah Brigade.
The IDF said Abu Younis was killed in a strike just after midnight Saturday in the Khan Younis area. Israel's military and Shin Bet security agency said in a joint statement that they targeted a senior Hamas military commander in a drone strike in Khan Younis on Saturday.
Hamas confirmed the death of Rafah brigade commander Samir Abu Younis in an Israeli air strike on the al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis, southern Gaza. Hamas said the person targeted was a senior member of its military wing.
Saturday's strike hit a tent sheltering displaced people and wounded two others. The casualties were taken to Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, medical personnel told Al Jazeera.
The IDF said Abu Younis was appointed commander of the Rafah Brigade approximately two months ago, following the elimination of his predecessor, Nael Abu Obeid, who was killed by Israel on Sept. 15. Previously, Abu Younis served as deputy commander of the brigade and led its Tel al-Sultan Battalion.
The IDF accused him of directing attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers, as well as working to rebuild Hamas's military capabilities. Hamas's Al-Qassam Brigades said Abu Younis had been involved in "numerous high-profile operations" and was "one of the most important commanders involved in planning and overseeing the October 7th attack."
The killing comes amid a fragile ceasefire that took effect in October 2025, ending major fighting but failing to stop Israeli strikes in Gaza. Gaza's Ministry of Health said in its latest update on Saturday that Israeli attacks have killed 16 people and injured 68 others over the past 48 hours. Since the ceasefire took effect on October 11, 2025, Israel has killed at least 1,643 Palestinians and injured 5,964, according to Al Jazeera citing the Health Ministry.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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