Hamas Confirms Rafah Brigade Commander Killed in IDF Strike
Translated & summarized from Zman Yisrael by baba
Hamas confirmed its Rafah Brigade commander, Samir Abu Yunes, was killed in an overnight IDF airstrike in Khan Yunis, Gaza. Abu Yunes was reportedly involved in planning the October 7th attack. In the West Bank, dozens of masked settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives near Sa'ir, injuring at least five and vandalizing a vehicle before fleeing from IDF forces. The IDF condemned the settler violence.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Hamas confirmed its Rafah Brigade commander, Samir Abu Yunes, was killed in an IDF airstrike in Khan Yunis.
- Abu Yunes was reportedly a key planner of the October 7th Hamas attack.
- He was the third commander of the Rafah Brigade to be killed since the war began.
- Dozens of masked settlers attacked Palestinian olive harvesters in the West Bank, injuring five.
- The IDF condemned the settler attack and stated forces dispersed the rioters.
Hamas has confirmed that its Rafah Brigade commander, Samir Abu Yunes, also known as Abu Mahmoud, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza overnight. The IDF announced shortly after midnight that it had targeted a senior commander in Hamas's military wing in the Khan Yunis area, with further details to follow. Abu Yunes assumed command of the Rafah Brigade following the killing of his predecessor, Na'al Abu Obeid, by Israel in September. He was the second commander of the brigade during the current conflict, as his predecessor, Mohammed Shebana, was killed on May 13, 2025, in an attack that also killed senior Hamas official Mohammed Sinwar. According to Hamas, Abu Yunes was a veteran commander in the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, joining in 1991, and was a key figure involved in planning and overseeing the October 7th attack. The IDF has not yet officially confirmed Abu Yunes's killing. This strike follows an IDF operation on Thursday at the Nasser Hospital complex in Khan Yunis, aimed at eliminating Hamas's Khan Yunis Brigade commander.
Separately, dozens of masked settlers from an illegal outpost attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in the southern West Bank on Saturday, according to video evidence and military statements. The IDF reported that soldiers and Border Police were dispatched to the area near the Palestinian village of Sa'ir following reports of clashes. A Palestinian vehicle was vandalized, and the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported at least five Palestinians were injured. The military stated that forces dispersed the Israeli rioters and imposed a closed military zone to restore order, allowing the Palestinians to continue harvesting. Later, reports and footage emerged of dozens of masked Israeli rioters arriving in vehicles, prompting another deployment. However, the settlers had fled before forces arrived. The IDF identified two suspicious vehicles while en route, fired in the air, and the vehicles fled to a nearby illegal outpost. One vehicle, bearing a Palestinian license plate, was believed to have been stolen. The IDF strongly condemned the Israeli attackers, stating such incidents distract forces, undermine stability, and harm security operations.
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