IDF Kills Hamas Yabna Battalion Commander

The IDF and Shin Bet said Tuesday evening that an Israeli strike killed Mohammad Fathi Abd al-Hay Abu Fakher, commander of Hamas's Yabna Battalion in the Rafah Brigade. The military said Abu Fakher had recently worked to recruit terrorists and restore the battalion's capacity to attack IDF troops, after years as a senior Hamas supply officer and a central figure in Gaza weapons smuggling. Times of Israel reported the same IDF-Shin Bet account, and Daniel Wachtel had identified Abu Fakher as one of those killed near Khan Younis. Removing a veteran smuggling commander weakens Hamas's Rafah network and helps prevent the terror army from rebuilding after October 7.