Israeli Army Announces Killing of Hamas Rafah Brigade Commander

The Israeli army announced that it killed Samir Mahmoud Hassan Abu Younis, whom it described as the commander of the Rafah Brigade in the military wing of the Hamas movement, in an airstrike yesterday, Saturday.

In a joint statement with the Shin Bet, the Israeli army announced that Abu Younis had led the brigade for only about two months, succeeding former commander Nael Abu Obeid, who was killed on September 15.

They added that he previously held several positions within the brigade, including deputy commander of the Rafah Brigade and commander of the Tel al-Sultan Battalion, describing him as a pivotal figure among the movement's senior leaders. The statement accused Abu Younis of directing the brigade's fighters to carry out "terrorist plots" against Israeli citizens and IDF forces, and of attempting to rebuild the military capabilities of the brigade and the movement after they received, according to his description, a "devastating blow" throughout the war period.

The Israeli army and the Shin Bet confirmed that they "took steps before executing the strike to reduce the likelihood of civilian casualties, including the use of precision munitions and aerial surveillance." The statement noted that security forces under the Southern Command are deployed in the area in accordance with the agreement, and will continue working to remove any immediate threat.

The "Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades" mourned early Sunday morning, member of the General Military Council of the Brigades and commander of the Rafah Brigade, Samir Abu Younis "Abu Mahmoud," who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Khan Younis in southern Gaza.