Israel Strikes Hamas's Rafah Brigade Commander in Gaza

The Israeli military and Shin Bet conducted a targeted strike in southern Gaza on Tuesday, aiming to eliminate a senior Hamas official. The target was identified as Na'al Abu Abed, commander of Hamas's Rafah Brigade and head of operations for the group's military wing. The operation was successful, according to an IDF spokesperson.

Abu Abed assumed command of the Rafah Brigade after his predecessor, Muhammad Shabana, was killed. He had previously served as deputy commander of the brigade and commander of the Tal Sultan and Yabna battalions. Hamas described him as a key figure responsible for directing terror plots against Israeli forces and civilians and for attempting to rebuild the brigade's capabilities, which were significantly degraded during the conflict.

Palestinian reports indicate the strike occurred in the Al-Mawasi area west of Khan Younis, resulting in two deaths and 14 injuries. One report suggested the attack involved an initial drone strike followed by two missile strikes from an aircraft, hitting two adjacent tents.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz stated, "The IDF has now attacked the commander of the Rafah Brigade in the Hamas terror organization, and this after earlier this week the commander of the Khan Younis Brigade and other senior figures in the organization were eliminated. Our message is clear: no terrorist is immune and Hamas will not be in Gaza. We strengthen the IDF and the Shin Bet, who are acting decisively to remove threats and protect the citizens of Israel."

The strike follows closely on the heels of the killing of Muhammad Yazouri, commander of Hamas's Khan Younis Brigade, who was reportedly responsible for managing the brigade's operatives and directing terror attacks. Recent days have also seen the reported elimination of other senior Hamas figures, including Ahmed Bateesh, commander of the Jabalia Battalion in the northern Gaza Strip, and Muhassan Abu Hadaf, head of an Islamic Jihad rocket cell who allegedly participated in the October 7th attack on the Kissufim area.