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Israel has announced that Nael Abu Obeid, commander of Hamas’ Rafah brigade, was killed in an airstrike carried out in the southern Gaza Strip.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz initially said that the military had targeted the commander of the Rafah brigade. Israel said the strike followed the killing earlier this week of the commander of Hamas’ Khan Younis brigade and other senior figures.
The Israeli military and Shin Bet later confirmed Abu Obeid’s death. Also known as “Abu Atiya,” Abu Obeid had led the Rafah brigade as well as Hamas’ operations division, according to Israel.
He assumed command of the brigade after his predecessor, Muhammad Shabana, was killed in an Israeli strike on May 13, 2025. Israel said Muhammad Sinwar, one of Hamas’ senior leaders, was also killed in that strike.
The Israeli military accused Abu Obeid of attempting to rebuild Hamas’ capabilities in Rafah and planning attacks against Israel.
His reported death came as Israeli strikes continued across the Gaza Strip. At least five Palestinians, including two children, were killed in separate attacks in northern and southern Gaza on Tuesday, according to Palestinian health officials and medical workers who spoke to Reuters.
A US-mediated ceasefire has been in effect since October 2025. However, more than 1,300 Palestinians and four Israeli soldiers have been killed in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire began.
Israel and Hamas have repeatedly accused each other of violating the agreement. The situation has complicated efforts to advance a broader ceasefire plan that calls for the further withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas.
