Israel Believes Hamas Khan Yunis Commander Critically Wounded

Israel assesses that Muhammad Abu Ismail, the commander of Hamas's Khan Yunis brigade, was critically wounded in an Israeli strike at Nasser Hospital in Gaza. The injury is believed to be so severe that his survival is unlikely. The strike occurred after Abu Ismail arrived at his command post on the third floor of Nasser Hospital, a location Hamas had abandoned following Israeli pressure. Israeli pilots and fighter jets were on standby for three weeks, armed with guided missiles, awaiting an opportunity to strike Abu Ismail. The opportunity arose shortly after 1 a.m. on Wednesday night when he arrived at his command center. Hamas's use of hospitals as command centers has been a point of contention, with the organization reportedly fleeing hospitals due to Israeli intentions to target them. The Khan Yunis brigade headquarters within Nasser Hospital was immediately vacated after the strike.