Gaza: Samir Mahmoud Abu Yunis, a senior commander of Hamas’ armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza. Hamas officially confirmed his death on November 15. Abu Yunis commanded the Rafah Brigade and was also a key member of the group’s General Military Council.
He died in a drone strike in the Al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the strike was a joint operation with the Shin Bet security agency targeting a senior Hamas leader, though it did not name him. Nasser Medical Complex said one person was killed and two others were injured in the attack.
His death is a major setback for Hamas. Abu Yunis had taken over the Rafah Brigade after his predecessor, Nayel Abu Obaid, was killed in a strike on September 15.
The Gaza Health Ministry says 1,643 Palestinians have been killed and 5,964 injured in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire took effect on October 10, 2025. Since the war began in October 2023, the death toll has crossed 74,000, with more than 176,000 injured, a majority of them women and children.
The prolonged conflict has devastated Gaza’s infrastructure. The United Nations estimates that reconstruction will require about $71.4 billion.