Senior Hamas military commander killed in Israeli strike in southern Gaza
Hamas on Sunday said the commander of its Rafah Brigade, who was a key figure in planning and overseeing the October 7, 2023 attacks, was killed in an Israeli air strike in southern Gaza . Samir Mahmoud Abu Younis, also known as Abu Mahmoud, was killed in an "Israeli assassination operation" on Saturday, the group said. The Israeli military confirmed it had killed Mr Abu Younis in a strike in…
Senior Hamas military commander Samir Mahmoud Abu Younis, a key figure in planning the October 7, 2023 attacks, was killed in an Israeli air strike in southern Gaza. The militant, also known as Abu Mahmoud, led the Rafah Brigade for about two months following the death of his predecessor, Nael Abu Obeid, on September 15. Israeli military and security sources confirm Abu Younis was killed in an assassination operation.
Hamas accuses him of directing attacks against Israeli civilians and troops, and of working to rebuild the brigade's fighting capabilities. Abu Younis joined Hamas' military wing, Al Qassam Brigades, in 1991 and held various leadership positions before becoming brigade commander. His funeral was held in Khan Younis on Sunday. Despite an October 2025 ceasefire, Israeli attacks continue and Hamas has not disarmed.
Since the ceasefire, at least 1,600 Palestinians have been killed, including five Israeli soldiers. Palestinian authorities report over 74,000 fatalities in Israel's military campaign following the October 7 attack.
Written by urgent.news from The National Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- Senior Hamas military commander killed in Israeli strike in southern Gaza thenationalnews.com
- Israel kills Hamas commander in Gaza strike politico.eu
- Israel claims senior Hamas commander killed in Gaza airstrike dailytimes.com.pk
- Chief of Hamas’s Rafah Brigade killed in Israeli strike, 2 months after predecessor timesofisrael.com
- Israel kills a top Hamas commander in Gaza abc.net.au
- Israel kills Hamas commander in strike on Gaza camp, officials say bbc.co.uk
- Israel says it killed a top Hamas commander, and other Mideast news winnipegfreepress.com
