Israeli military says it struck senior armed Hamas commander

The Israeli military said ​on Sunday (November 15, 2026) it had struck a ‌senior commander in Hamas’ ​armed wing, and ⁠Hamas sources told Reuters the strike killed senior armed Hamas commander Samir Abu ‌Younis in Khan Younis.

Hamas later confirmed his ‌death and said his ‌funeral ⁠would be held on Sunday (November 15) ⁠afternoon in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.

Abu Younis, 53, commanded ​the Rafah ‌brigade in Hamas’ armed wing. He had been a member of the Al-Qassam Brigades since 1991 ‌and held several senior ​operational roles in Rafah.

Medics said Abu Younis ⁠was killed and others were wounded in an airstrike that ‌targeted him in a street in the Mawasi area of Khan Younis.

An October 2025 ceasefire halted major fighting but has not stopped Israeli ‌attacks or secured Hamas’ disarmament.

Gaza health ​authorities say at least 1,600 Palestinians have been killed ⁠since the ceasefire went into ⁠effect. Five Israeli soldiers have been killed during the ‌same period.