Hamas commander killed in Israeli airstrike in Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the elimination of a senior Hamas military commander during an operation in the Gaza Strip. The Hamas military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, identified the deceased as 53-year-old Samir Abu Younis, also known as Abu Mahmoud, who served as the commander of the organization's Rafah brigade. Palestinian health authorities reported that the strike took place in the Mawasi area of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Several civilians were also injured during the attack.

Abu Younis had been a member of the organization's military wing since 1991 and held various operational leadership roles before taking command of the Rafah unit. Both Hamas and the IDF confirmed his involvement in the planning of the October 7, 2023, attack against Israel. Hamas stated that his funeral is scheduled to take place on Sunday evening in Khan Younis. The incident occurs amidst ongoing tensions, as both Israel and Hamas continue to accuse each other of violating a ceasefire agreement originally established on October 10, 2025.