Who was Samir Abu Younis, and why did Israel target him?

Israel says it targeted a senior Hamas commander in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza. Hamas named him as Samir Abu Younis, 53, who led its brigade in Rafah. Eyewitnesses said missiles hit a tent sheltering displaced people in al-Mawasi, and reports said two others were wounded.

Israel says it has continued occasional strikes against remaining Hamas militants, which it argues the ceasefire permits. Gaza health authorities count at least 1600 Palestinians killed since the truce.

Hamas says Abu Younis was among the most important commanders planning the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel, which began the war. A ceasefire took effect on 10 October 2025, but both sides accuse each other of violating it.