IDF and Shin Bet Kill Senior Hamas Commander in Rafah After 20 Years in Smuggling Network

In a joint operation by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet on Monday, Muhammad Fathi Abd al-Hai Abu Fakhr, commander of the "Yabna" battalion in Hamas's Rafah military brigade, was targeted and killed. The precise strike aimed to eliminate an immediate threat to Israeli security forces. Intelligence revealed that Abu Fakhr had been actively working to rebuild the battalion's operational capabilities, recruiting new militants, overseeing their training, and preparing for targeted attacks against IDF forces.

Abu Fakhr was a veteran and highly experienced Hamas commander, serving for approximately 20 years in the organization's military supply and smuggling apparatus. He played a central role in managing and directing the smuggling of weapons into the Gaza Strip, ensuring the continuous supply of arms necessary for Hamas's terrorist activities.

The IDF Southern Command stated that its forces remain deployed in the area in accordance with existing agreements and will continue to act decisively to neutralize any immediate threats in the region.