The IDF and Shin Bet (Israeli Security Agency) issued a joint statement on Tuesday, saying that they killed Hamas’s Rafah Brigade commander, Nael Abu Obeid, in a strike in the southern Gaza Strip.
Obeid replaced his predecessor, Mohammad Shabanah, who was killed by the IDF in May 2025.
Abu Obeid was a key figure among Hamas leaders, according to a statement from the IDF, and previously served as the deputy commander of the Rafah Brigade and commander of the Tel al-sultan and Yibna Battalions.
During his time as the Rafah Brigade commander, Abu Obeid directed terror attacks against Israeli troops and offensives against IDF troops.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the strike, saying that “our message is clear: no terrorist is immune, and Hamas will not be in Gaza.”
In a statement announcing Abu Obeid’s death, the IDF said they “remain deployed in the area in accordance with the agreement and will continue to operate to remove any threat.”
IDF kills commander of Hamas’ Jabaliya Battalion
Earlier on Tuesday, the IDF announced that it had, in coordination with Shin Bet, killed the commander of Hamas’s Jabaliya Battalion in a strike in the northern Gaza Strip on Monday night.
The terrorist, identified as Ahmad Batash, was responsible for managing logistics for the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades Northern Gaza Brigade and was an integral part of supplying weapons and equipment to Hamas terrorists in the region.
Last Thursday, the IDF and Shin Bet killed Muhammad Yazouri in the Khan Yunis area. Yazouri served as commander of Hamas’s Khan Yunis Brigade in the terrorist organization’s military wing in the Gaza Strip.
Yazouri was appointed to the position after holding a series of roles in the brigade, including deputy commander of the Khan Yunis Brigade, commander of the brigade’s combat support battalion, and head of its intelligence department. In his role, he was responsible for managing the activities of the brigade’s terrorists and directing them in advancing and carrying out terror plots against IDF forces and Israeli civilians.
Jonah Davidov contributed to this report.
