Israeli Air Strike Kills Senior Hamas Commander Samir Abu Younis in Gaza
Samir Abu Younis, a senior Hamas commander, was killed in an Israeli air strike in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Saturday, according to Hamas.
KHAN YOUNIS, Nov 15: Hamas confirmed that Samir Abu Younis, a senior commander of its Rafah brigade, was killed in an Israeli air strike on Saturday in Khan Younis, Gaza.
The Israeli military, along with the Shin Bet security agency, stated they targeted a senior Hamas military commander in a drone strike in the al-Mawasi area. Abu Younis, who had been with the Al-Qassam Brigades since 1991, was 53 years old and had held multiple senior operational roles before leading the Rafah brigade.
Healthcare officials indicated that the strike also wounded two other individuals who were taken to Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis. Witnesses reported significant activity near the hospital following the air strike, with ambulances and stretchers visible.
Since a ceasefire took effect on October 11, 2025, Gaza’s health authorities reported a grim toll of over 1,600 Palestinians killed and nearly 6,000 injured from ongoing Israeli attacks. In total, since the beginning of the current conflict in October 2023, the Health Ministry has stated at least 74,695 Palestinians have died, with 176,093 injuries reported.
While the ceasefire is in effect, Israeli military operations continue, targeting individuals linked to Hamas, which plans and executes assaults against Israel. Hamas had previously claimed that Abu Younis was involved in planning the deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The Hamas command confirmed that his funeral would take place on Sunday afternoon in Khan Younis.