Israel Strikes Hamas Commander, Political Tensions Rise Ahead of Elections

The Israeli military and Shin Bet announced on Tuesday they had targeted a senior Hamas official in southern Gaza, identified by Palestinian media as Na'al Abu Obeid, also known as Abu Atiya, the commander of Hamas's Rafah brigade. An Israeli security source stated that the operation to eliminate the commander was likely successful. This strike follows a series of recent Israeli operations against senior Hamas military leaders, including the commanders of the Khan Younis brigade and the Jabalia battalion in previous days. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz affirmed that no terrorist would be safe and that Hamas would not remain in Gaza, praising the military and Shin Bet for their actions.

Meanwhile, political tensions are escalating ahead of upcoming elections. Ofer Winter, a former senior officer and head of the right-wing 'Am Israel' party, accused Prime Minister Netanyahu's Likud party of attempting to "destroy" him politically. Winter alleged that Likud members have made statements like "he must be overthrown, it's time to destroy him," fearing his party might not pass the electoral threshold or could siphon votes from other right-wing parties, potentially aiding Netanyahu's opponents in forming a Knesset majority. Winter had previously refused Netanyahu's call for smaller right-wing parties to merge and stated he would support Netanyahu only if a law mandating universal conscription was passed.

Winter criticized advisors to the Prime Minister, claiming they provide poor counsel and are detached from the right-wing camp's needs, being "drunk on fictitious polls." He called the alleged attacks on his party "an amazing own goal" and warned of consequences for the entire nation. The Likud party vehemently denied Winter's accusations, calling them "an absolute lie" and threatening a defamation lawsuit if he does not retract his statements. The party stated it was regrettable that Winter chose to attack a right-wing party instead of the left, potentially harming the right's chances of victory.

Separately, Palestinian media reported that an attack in western Khan Younis resulted in the deaths of two people, including an eight-year-old girl, and injured 14 others. Israel has not independently verified this information. A report from the US Congressional Budget Office estimated that the war in Gaza has cost the United States $38 billion so far, with an expected monthly increase of $3 billion, and projected a 0.5% inflation rise in early 2027. The report noted that the Pentagon has not fully cooperated with congressional financial auditors and did not include costs from recent attacks in the Strait of Hormuz or on US military facilities.