Senior Hamas commander dies during Israel attack

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have eliminated Samir Mahmoud Abu Younis, a senior Hamas commander involved in planning the October 7, 2023 attacks, in a strike in southern Gaza overnight Saturday, according to both military and militant sources.

Abu Younis, who served as the commander of Hamas’ Rafah Brigade, was killed just two months after his predecessor, Nael Abu Obeid, was targeted and killed in September. Abu Obeid had previously succeeded Mohammad Sabaneh, who was killed in May 2025.

Both Hamas’ military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the commander's death. Katz emphasized that military operations in the enclave will persist despite existing ceasefire frameworks.

"The IDF continues to eliminate Hamas leaders in Gaza, and another one joins his predecessors in the depths of hell. The offensive policy that I am leading together with the Prime Minister and the IDF in Gaza will continue – until Gaza is demilitarized and there is no Hamas," Katz stated.

The targeted killing highlights ongoing hostilities in Gaza despite a nominal ceasefire brokered by the United States over a year ago. While Israel continues targeted operations against remaining leadership figures, Hamas has maintained its grip on the portion of the territory not under direct Israeli military occupation. 

Meanwhile, the international "Board of Peace," established by the Trump administration with United Nations backing to oversee a 20-point post-conflict plan, remains stalled, with neither the planned Palestinian technocratic governing committee nor an international stabilization force having deployed to the enclave.

The latest military strike follows a controversial attack last week on the surgical unit of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, which Palestinian health officials reported killed at least six people, including a physician, Dr. Rizk Abu Shaira, and a 13-year-old patient, while injuring approximately 40 others. 

The IDF stated that the hospital was targeted to reach the commander of Hamas' Khan Younis Brigade, Muhammad Abu Ismail, though military officials declined to confirm whether the target was successfully eliminated.

The hospital strike drew sharp condemnation from humanitarian organizations, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which reiterated that medical facilities must remain protected under international humanitarian law, while noting previous security concerns regarding armed presence inside the compound.