Senior Hamas commander Samir Abu Younis was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip, according to both the Israeli military and Hamas. The attack occurred overnight on Saturday, as confirmed by Israeli authorities. Abu Younis, 53, was the leader of the Rafah brigade and played a key role in planning the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Hamas announced his death on Sunday, stating he had been involved in organizing the assault.
The Israeli military confirmed the strike, identifying Abu Younis as a senior commander in Hamas’ military wing. The attack targeted his location in the southern Gaza Strip, where he was believed to be coordinating operations. Hamas’ Al-Qassam Brigades confirmed his death, describing him as a key figure in the group’s military structure. The strike was part of ongoing Israeli efforts to disrupt Hamas leadership following the October 7 attack.
This marks the second high-profile Hamas commander killed by Israeli forces in recent weeks. The October 7 attack, which killed over 1,200 Israelis, led to a large-scale military operation in Gaza. Abu Younis was among the planners of that attack, according to Hamas. His death is seen as a significant blow to the group’s leadership, though Hamas continues to maintain control over parts of the territory. The Israeli military has not commented further on the strike beyond confirming the commander’s death.
