Hamas identifies senior commander killed in Israeli airstrike

Hamas' military wing confirmed that a high-ranking commander, Samir Abu Younis, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Saturday in southern Gaza, according to <source 1ffa5182-ad1>. Abu Younis, 53, was the head of the Rafah Brigade and was involved in planning and overseeing the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The Israeli military claimed to have targeted a senior Hamas military commander, but did not disclose his name.

Abu Younis, who joined Hamas' military wing in 1991, held several key operational positions in Rafah before assuming command of the brigade. His funeral was planned for Sunday afternoon in Khan Younis. Despite a ceasefire in October 2023, Israeli strikes continue, and Hamas remains un-disarmed. Since the ceasefire, Hamas reports at least 1,600 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, with five Israeli soldiers losing their lives during the same period.

Palestinian authorities say over 74,000 people have been killed in the Israeli military campaign in Gaza, which began following Hamas-led fighters' attack on southern Israel in October 2023.