Israeli military says airstrikes kill senior Hamas commanders in Gaza

International, Middle East

GAZA, Palestine (NPA) — The Israeli military says its air force has killed two senior Hamas commanders in separate strikes in the southern Gaza Strip, including the commander of the Rafah Brigade and another alleged member of the group’s Nukhba forces.

The military said in a statement that an airstrike carried out on Tuesday evening in southern Gaza, guided by the Shin Bet security agency, killed Na’al Abu Obeid, whom it identified as commander of Hamas’ Rafah Brigade and head of its operations.

According to the Israeli military, Abu Obeid was appointed to the position following the killing of Muhammad Shabana. It said he had previously served as deputy commander of the Rafah Brigade and commander of the Tel Sultan and Yebna battalions.

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The military described Abu Obeid as a senior Hamas figure and alleged that he was responsible for directing the brigade’s activities and advancing attacks against Israeli forces and civilians.

It also said Abu Obeid had been involved in efforts to rebuild the brigade’s capabilities, which the military said had been significantly degraded during the war.

In a separate operation, the Israeli Air Force said it struck the Khan Younis area of southern Gaza last Thursday and killed Jihad Smeikh Mahmoud Ismail, whom it identified as the head of a Nukhba cell in Hamas’ military wing.

The military alleged that Ismail infiltrated southern Israel during the October 7, 2023 attack and participated in a clash involving Israeli armoured forces.

It further alleged that he was involved in the abduction of Capt. (res.) Omar Naotrah, Sgt. Maj. (res.) Oz Daniel and Sgt. Nimrod Cohen. The Israeli military said Sgt. Shakad Dahari, the tank driver involved in the clash, was wounded.

The claims about the individuals’ roles and activities were made by the Israeli military and were not independently verified by New Post Africa.

The Israeli military said forces under the Southern Command remained deployed in the area in accordance with the existing agreement and would continue operations to remove what it described as immediate threats.