A top Hamas commander with plans “to advance and carry out terror attacks” was killed by Israeli forces on Sunday – only two months after replacing his predecessor, military officials said.
Samir Mahmoud Hassan Abu Younis, who had allegedly directed attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers, was killed in an early morning airstrike in southern Gaza, the IDF said.
Hamas officials confirmed in a statement that Abu Younis died in the strike and that a funeral would be held for him later Sunday.
Abu Younis was a longtime member of Hamas’ military hierarchy, joining the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades in 1991, the IDF told the Jerusalem Post.
Israeli officials said that Abu Younis also had a hand in planning and overseeing the Oct. 7 attack that killed over 1,000 Israeli citizens and soldiers.
At the time of his death, Abu Younis had been the leader of the Rafah Brigade and had been directing plans “to advance and carry out terror attacks,” according to the IDF.
The militant replaced former commander Nael Abu Obeid, who had been killed by Israeli forces on Sept. 15, according to the Israeli military.
Officials said that other Hamas militants were targeted in the Sunday night strike, but provided no further details.
Last month, two Hamas commanders, including one involved in holding three Israeli hostages during the ongoing Israeli-Hamas war were killed.
Israeli military officials said that Muhammad Yazji, a Hamas commander in the Shati Battalion, was killed in an airstrike in Gaza City on Oct. 5.
The IDF said that Yazji had been involved in holding Emily Damari, Romi Gonen and Matan Angrest hostage for over a year.
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