Israel Strikes Hamas Commander in Gaza's Rafah Brigade

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet security agency announced Tuesday they targeted a senior Hamas terrorist in southern Gaza, identified as the commander of the Rafah Brigade. Sources in Gaza reported two fatalities, including an 8-year-old girl, and 14 injuries resulting from strikes in the Khan Younis area, allegedly hitting tents for displaced people.

Israeli defense officials confirmed that the target was a key Hamas figure in Gaza, the Rafah Brigade commander, but were awaiting final confirmation of his death. The individual, Na'el Abu Abid, is considered a powerful figure within Hamas in Gaza, having assumed command after the assassinations of Mohammed Sinwar and his predecessor, Mohammed Shebana.

Shebana was killed in a Khan Younis strike in June 2025, alongside the former head of Hamas's military wing, Mohammed Sinwar. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the strike followed the recent elimination of the Khan Younis Brigade commander and other senior Hamas operatives earlier in the week.

Netanyahu issued a strong message, asserting, "Our message is clear: no terrorist is immune, and Hamas will not be in Gaza. We are strengthening the IDF and the Shin Bet, who are acting with determination to remove threats and protect the citizens of Israel."

The report notes an increasing pace of targeted killings in recent days. The Shin Bet recently eliminated Mohammed Yazouri, commander of Hamas's northern Gaza brigade, along with a company commander and another operative. The previous day, the IDF conducted five assassinations, including the commander of the Jabalia battalion.