IDF says ‘senior terrorist in Hamas’s military wing’ targeted in Gaza strike

The Israeli military stated on Sunday that it had targeted a senior commander in the military wing of Hamas, though it did not identify the individual. According to reports from Middle East Eye, Ajel English, and Hindustan Times - World News, sources identified the deceased as Samir Abu Younis, the commander of Hamas's Rafah brigade. Ynetnews reported that Abu Younis was reportedly eliminated in an Israeli drone strike.

Middle East Eye reports that the Al-Qassam Brigades identified the 53-year-old commander as having helped plan and oversee the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Hamas stated that Abu Younis joined the armed wing in 1991 and held several senior operational roles in Rafah before his recent appointment. Medics reported that Abu Younis was killed and others were wounded in an airstrike targeting a street in the Mawasi area of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.

An October 2025 ceasefire halted major fighting, but Israeli attacks have continued and Hamas has not been disarmed. Since that ceasefire went into effect, Gaza health authorities state at least 1,600 Palestinians have been killed and five Israeli soldiers have died.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Times of Israel, Middle East Eye, Ajel English, Hindustan Times - World News, Ynetnews — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.