Hamas’s Rafah Commander Reportedly Killed in Khan Younis Strike

Samir Abu Younis, reportedly Hamas’s newly appointed Rafah Brigade commander, was reported killed in an Israeli drone strike in southern Gaza shortly after midnight on November 15. The report, citing Gaza sources, said four missiles struck a tent in al-Mawasi, in the Khan Younis area. The IDF and Shin Bet separately announced that they had struck a senior terrorist in Hamas’s military wing. “A short while ago, the IDF and ISA struck a senior terrorist in Hamas’ military wing,” their joint English-language statement said. The announcement did not name the target or confirm his death, and the two agencies said further details would follow. The reported attack follows the September 15 killing of Nael Abu Ubaid, whom the IDF and Shin Bet identified as the Rafah Brigade commander and head of Hamas’s military-wing operations apparatus. Their announcement said he had succeeded Muhammad Shabana and had previously served as deputy brigade commander and as commander of the Tel Sultan and Yabna battalions. The two agencies said Abu Ubaid had directed terrorist activity against Israeli troops and civilians and had worked to rebuild the Rafah Brigade’s capabilities.