Targeted Gaza Airstrikes
Israeli Airstrikes Kill Senior Hamas Commanders in Gaza Despite Ongoing Ceasefire
Anonymous
Key Points
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Yazouri had previously served as deputy commander of the Khan Younis Brigade, commander of its Combat Support Battalion and head of its intelligence department before becoming brigade commander.
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Hamas announced Yazouri’s death before the IDF, publishing a “martyr poster” identifying him by the alias Abu al-Haitham.
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Yazouri succeeded Rafa’a Salameh, who was killed alongside Hamas military-wing chief Muhammad Deif in July 2024.
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Israeli authorities attributed several early-2000s attacks to Farah Hamed’s Silwad cell, including the killings of civilians Esther Galia Atiya, Zvi (Howard) Goldstein and Shalom Har-Melech, as well as the 2003 Ein Yabrud attack that killed three Israeli soldiers.
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The Khan Younis strike was reported as the 20th targeted killing in Gaza since the previous week; Palestinian reports said the initial target was a vehicle in the Hamad neighborhood and that the first floor of Tower M caught fire afterward.
Israeli airstrikes overnight killed Muhammad Abdul Salam al-Yazouri, the commander of Hamas's Khan Younis Brigade, along with two other operatives in southern Gaza. IDF said Yazouri directed attacks on Israeli troops and civilians and was rebuilding the brigade after heavy losses. The strike marks the 20th targeted killing since the previous week, despite an October 2025 ceasefire that halted major fighting.
In a separate operation, Israeli security agencies killed Farah Hamed, a Hamas military-wing operative accused of deadly West Bank attacks and recruitment. HNGN reported Hamed was involved in killings dating back to the early 2000s. The strikes show Israel continues precision operations against Hamas commanders even under the ceasefire framework.
Yazouri Rose Through Hamas Ranks Before Taking Brigade Command
Muhammad Yazouri held multiple roles within Hamas before becoming Khan Younis Brigade commander. Vinnews reported he previously served as deputy commander, head of the Combat Support Battalion, and intelligence chief. He succeeded Rafa'a Salameh, who was killed alongside Hamas military chief Muhammad Deif in July 2024.
Hamas announced Yazouri's death before the IDF released information, publishing what they called a "martyr poster" identifying him by the alias Abu al-Haitham. SABA reported the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing, mourned his death in the strike.
Strike Targeted Vehicle in Hamad Neighborhood, Caused Fire
Palestinian media reported the airstrike targeted a vehicle in the Hamad neighborhood of Khan Younis. A fire broke out in the first floor of a nearby residential tower called Tower M following the strike. Jfeed said two other Hamas operatives, Khudayfa Mamar and Muhammad Bahjat Raji, were also killed in the same precision airstrike.
IDF said it used precision munitions and aerial surveillance to reduce civilian harm. The agency did not specify how many civilians may have been affected by the strike or the fire that followed.
Hamed Accused of West Bank Attacks Spanning Two Decades
Farah Hamed was released in the 2011 Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange, according to Israeli security agencies. Once back in Gaza, he allegedly resumed military activity and directed attacks in the West Bank. Israeli authorities linked him to killings of civilians Esther Galia Atiya, Zvi Goldstein, and Shalom Har-Melech, plus the 2003 Ein Yabrud attack that killed three Israeli soldiers.
Hamed's case shows how prisoner exchanges can return experienced militants to active duty. HNGN reported his Central Gaza strike was part of the same wave of targeted operations, reflecting Israel's strategy of continuing precision strikes against Hamas figures despite the ceasefire framework.
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