Hamas confirms senior commander killed in ‘Israeli’ strike

Hamas’s military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, has confirmed that Samir Abu Younis, also known as Abu Mahmoud, the commander of its Rafah Brigade, was killed in an ‘Israeli’ airstrike overnight in the southern Gaza Strip.

The ‘Israeli’ military and Shin Bet said they had targeted a senior commander in Hamas’s armed wing in a joint operation, without immediately naming the individual.

Medics reported that Abu Younis, 53, was killed and others wounded in a strike that hit him in a street in the Mawasi area of Khan Younis.

In a statement, the Al-Qassam Brigades described Abu Younis as a veteran commander who joined the group in 1991, rose through the ranks, and was “one of the key commanders involved in planning and overseeing October 7.”

Hamas said he had held several senior operational roles in Rafah before taking command of the brigade.

Abu Younis assumed leadership of the Rafah Brigade after the previous commander, Nael Abu Obeid, was killed by ‘Israel’ in September.

That commander had himself succeeded Muhammad Shabana, who died in a May 2025 strike.

Although ‘Israeli’ forces control Rafah, Hamas continues to appoint regional brigade commanders who operate from nearby areas such as Khan Younis.

‘Israeli’ Defense Minister Israel Katz commented on the strike, writing that “the IDF continues to eliminate Hamas leaders in Gaza” and that “another one joins his predecessors in the depths of hell.”

He added that the offensive policy would continue “until Gaza is demilitarized and Hamas is no more.”

The ‘Israeli’ military has not confirmed Abu Younis’s identity as the target.

The incident occurred more than a year after an October 2025 ceasefire that halted major fighting but has not ended ‘Israeli’ strikes.

Gaza health authorities say at least 1,600 Palestinians have been killed since the truce took effect.