IDF Eliminates Hamas Khan Yunis Brigade Commander in Airstrike

The Israeli military and Shin Bet announced Thursday the elimination of Mohammed Yazouri, the commander of Hamas's Khan Yunis brigade, in an airstrike in Al-Mawasi. Yazouri was killed in the area he commanded, according to the joint statement. He had previously served as deputy commander of the Khan Yunis brigade, commander of the combat support battalion, and head of intelligence for the brigade.

In his role, Yazouri was responsible for directing the brigade's operatives and planning terror attacks against Israeli forces and civilians. The statement noted he had recently been involved in dozens of terror plots and worked to rebuild the brigade's strength after significant damage during the war. The strike also killed a company commander and another operative within the Hamas brigade.

Hamas sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Yazouri was not immediately identified due to difficulties identifying his body, and some associates checked on him after contact was lost. Yazouri assumed command of the Khan Yunis brigade shortly after the assassinations of senior Hamas officials Azz al-Din al-Haddad and Mohammed Odeh.

According to Arab reports, Yazouri held other leadership positions in the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades for years, including leading the intelligence mechanism responsible for preparing for the October 7th massacre. He had survived several previous assassination attempts, both during the current war and years prior. One significant attempt he survived in 2021 occurred alongside Yahya and Mohammed Sinwar.