Hamas Commander and Operatives Killed in Gaza Strikes

Palestinian reports indicated on Saturday afternoon that a vehicle was struck from the air in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of western Gaza City, resulting in at least three fatalities and four injuries. This incident follows the elimination of Nael Abu Abid, the commander of Hamas's Rafah Brigade, in southern Gaza on Tuesday. Abu Abid had replaced Muhammad Shabanah, who was killed along with Muhammad Sinwar last year.

In a joint statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz declared, "Our message is clear: no terrorist is immune, and Hamas will not be in Gaza. We are strengthening the IDF and Shin Bet, who are acting decisively to remove threats and protect Israeli citizens."

The IDF and Shin Bet confirmed Abu Abid's role, noting he was appointed after Shabanah's elimination and previously served as deputy commander of the Rafah Brigade and commander of the Tal Sultan and Yabna battalions. They stated Abu Abid was a central figure responsible for managing the brigade's operatives and directing terror attacks against Israeli forces and civilians. He also worked to rebuild the brigade's capabilities, which were severely impacted during the war. Security forces in the Southern Command are deployed in the area and will continue to operate to neutralize immediate threats.

Earlier on Saturday, the IDF confirmed the elimination of Rafa'at Abu Zamr, a company commander in the military wing of Hamas's operations staff, in Khan Younis. Additionally, in another strike in Gaza City, militant Muhammad Khadr Fahmi Agour, an operative in Hamas's military wing, was killed. The IDF stated Abu Zamr trained Hamas militants in preparation for the October 7th massacre and continued to develop the organization's combat capabilities.