The IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) struck a senior Hamas terrorist in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, the military confirmed.
Hamas sources told Reuters the strike killed senior armed Hamas commander Samir Abu Younis in Khan Younis. Hamas later confirmed his death and said his funeral would be held on Sunday afternoon in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.
Abu Younis, 53, commanded the Rafah brigade in Hamas' armed wing. He had been a member of the Al-Qassam Brigades since 1991 and held several senior operational roles in Rafah.
Medics said Abu Younis was killed and others were wounded in an airstrike that targeted him in a street in the Mawasi area of Khan Younis.
'Another one joins his predecessors in the depths of hell'
Defense Minister Israel Katz indicated in a social media post shortly after the IDF announcement on Saturday night that the target had been killed. The IDF had not yet confirmed his death.
"The IDF continues to eliminate Hamas leaders in Gaza," Katz wrote. "And another one joins his predecessors in the depths of hell."