Israel Strikes Hamas Leadership, Killing Rafah Brigade Commander

Seven Palestinians were killed and others injured on Tuesday in Israeli airstrikes and shelling across the Gaza Strip, including Khan Younis, Gaza City, and the northern area. The Israeli military and Shin Bet announced the assassination of Nael Abu Ubaid, also known as "Abu Attia," the commander of Hamas's Rafah Brigade, in a strike targeting a displacement camp in the Mawasi Khan Younis area.

According to a joint statement from the Israeli army and Shin Bet, Abu Ubaid assumed his role after the killing of Mohammed Shabana. Previously, he held several positions within the brigade, including deputy commander of the Rafah Brigade and commander of the Tal Sultan and Yibna battalions. He was described as a prominent Hamas leader responsible for managing brigade members and directing them in operations against Israeli forces and citizens, as well as attempting to rebuild the brigade's military capabilities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the strike on the Rafah Brigade commander followed earlier assassinations of the Khan Younis Brigade commander and other officials. They asserted that no Hamas member or official is immune and that the movement "will not be in Gaza." The operation was later officially declared successful.

Palestinian medical and press sources in Gaza reported that a strike on a displacement camp in the Mawasi Khan Younis area resulted in two deaths and 14 injuries. The Israeli military and Shin Bet later confirmed in a brief statement that a Hamas leader was targeted in this strike.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Israeli army and Shin Bet announced the killing of the commander of the Jabalia Battalion in the northern Gaza Strip's brigade in a strike late Monday to Tuesday. Last Friday, they announced the assassination of the Khan Younis Brigade commander in a strike on the city the previous Thursday.

According to the latest figures from the Gaza Ministry of Health, Israeli actions since October 2025 have resulted in 1,372 deaths and 4,659 injuries. Israel's war in Gaza has reportedly killed over 73,000 people and injured more than 174,000, while destroying approximately 90 percent of the Strip's infrastructure.