Israeli military says it struck senior member of Hamas military wing

Israeli forces struck a Hamas stronghold in southern Gaza on Saturday, killing Samir Abu Younis, a 53-year-old senior commander who aided in the planning of the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' armed wing, confirmed Abu Younis' death. Israeli officials said the airstrike took place overnight in the Mawasi area of Khan Younis, where Abu Younis, who had led the Rafah brigade since his predecessor's death on September 15, was killed alongside others.

Hamas reported that Abu Younis joined the group's armed wing in 1991 and had served in various senior operational roles in Rafah before taking command of the brigade. The Hamas commander's funeral is scheduled for Sunday afternoon in Khan Younis. Despite a ceasefire in October 2025 that halted major fighting in the Israel-Gaza conflict, Israel has escalated strikes in Gaza, with the US expressing concern.

As of October 2025, at least 1,600 Palestinians have been killed, and five Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ceasefire took effect. Israel has warned Lebanon against returning to its border area.