Israel killed a senior Hamas commander involved in planning the October 7 attacks only two months after killing his predecessor, a sign that the Gaza conflict remains active despite a US-brokered ceasefire. The Israel Defense Forces said they killed Samir Mahmoud Abu Younis, commander of Hamas' Rafah Brigade, in a strike in southern Gaza overnight Saturday, and Hamas confirmed his death.
Abu Younis, a long-time member of the brigade, had replaced Nael Abu Obeid, who was killed in a strike in September. Abu Obeid had himself replaced Mohammad Sabaneh, another Rafah Brigade commander killed in May 2025. The Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing, said Abu Younis had joined the brigade in 1991 and was among the most prominent commanders who participated in planning and overseeing the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.S1S2
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the IDF continues to eliminate Hamas leaders and that the offensive policy would continue until Gaza is demilitarized and there is no Hamas. Despite a nominal ceasefire in place for more than a year, Israel has continued strikes on Hamas members, particularly senior commanders, who are quickly replaced as Hamas consolidates control over the half of Gaza not occupied by Israel.S1S2
The strike follows an IDF attack on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis last week, which the IDF said targeted the commander of Hamas' Khan Younis Brigade, Muhammad Abu Ismail, and other militants hiding in the hospital. Palestinian officials said the strike killed at least six people, including a doctor, Dr. Rizk Abu Shaira, and a 13-year-old boy awaiting surgery, and injured 40 others, including two doctors in critical condition.S1S2
Meanwhile, the Board of Peace, created by the Trump administration with United Nations backing to oversee the Gaza ceasefire plan, has made no substantive progress on the 20-point plan agreed in October 2025. On Friday it said it had held very constructive discussions with 17 countries about a civilian Gaza police force under a Palestinian technocratic committee, but that committee has yet to enter the enclave and an international security force meant to stabilize Gaza has yet to materialize.S1S2
