Gaza Genocideupdated 1h ago2 min read
MapIsraeli Airstrike Kills Hamas Rafah Brigade Commander Samir Abu Younis in Khan Younis
“The IDF has not yet confirmed that Abu Younis was killed.”
“Hamas has confirmed that Rafah brigade commander Samir Abu Younis was killed in an Israeli air strike”
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL · Cropped for layout
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Samir Abu Younis, Rafah Brigade commander, killed in Israeli airstrike near Khan Younis. Israel's military and Shin Bet targeted a senior Hamas commander; Hamas confirmed his death.
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Strike in Khan Younis
Israeli air strikes killed Hamas Rafah brigade commander Samir Abu Younis in the al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis, southern Gaza, according to Hamas and an Israeli military and Shin Bet joint statement. Hamas said the person targeted was a senior member of its military wing, and the strike that hit a tent sheltering displaced people wounded two others, with casualties taken to Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis.
Al Jazeera reported that video footage verified by Al Jazeera and posted by Palestinian journalists showed ambulances inside the grounds and stretchers that appear to be stained with blood. Gaza’s Ministry of Health said Israeli attacks have killed 16 people and injured 68 others over the past 48 hours, and it said the number of deaths related to cold has risen to 11 after a nine-month-old baby died from hypothermia.
Competing claims and funerals
Hamas’ military wing said the Al-Qassam Brigades announced Abu Younis’ death and described him as a member of its General Military Council killed in the Al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis. The Israeli army said it had targeted a senior member of Hamas’ armed wing in a drone strike in Khan Younis on Saturday, without identifying the individual, while medics said Abu Younis was killed and others were wounded in an airstrike that targeted him in a street in the Mawasi area of Khan Younis.
Hamas said Abu Younis joined its armed wing in 1991 and held several senior operational roles in Rafah before becoming commander of the brigade, and it said his funeral would be held on Sunday afternoon in Khan Younis. The Times of Israel quoted Defense Minister Israel Katz saying, "The IDF continues to eliminate Hamas leaders in Gaza," and it quoted Katz adding, "And another one joins his predecessors in the depths of hell."
Ceasefire toll and next steps
Israel’s military and Shin Bet targeted a senior Hamas commander in Khan Younis despite the October 2025 ceasefire, which Hamas and Israeli sources described as halting major fighting but not stopping Israeli attacks or securing Hamas’ disarmament.
Gaza health authorities said at least 1,600 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire went into effect, while five Israeli soldiers have also been killed during the same period.
Anadolu Ajansı said Gaza’s Health Ministry figures put Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement, which took effect on Oct. 10, 2025, at 1,643 Palestinians killed and 5,964 wounded as of Saturday.
Al Jazeera said that since the “ceasefire” in Gaza took effect on October 11, 2025, Israel has killed at least 1,643 Palestinians and injured 5,964, and it said at least 850 bodies have been recovered from under the rubble.