Israel Kills Senior Hamas Commander Samir Abu Younis in Gaza

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz welcomed the killing. "The IDF continues to eliminate Hamas leaders in Gaza, and another one joins his predecessors in the depths of hell," he said. He added that the offensive policy would continue "until Gaza is demilitarized and there is no Hamas."

A pattern of strikes under a ceasefire

The nominal ceasefire took effect more than a year ago. Israel has kept striking Hamas members since then, particularly senior commanders. Those commanders are quickly replaced, while Hamas tightens its grip on the half of Gaza that Israel does not occupy.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, more than 1,600 people have been killed in near-daily Israeli strikes since the ceasefire was signed.

Hospital strike days earlier

The killing follows an Israeli attack days earlier on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Palestinian officials said it killed at least six people, including Dr. Rizk Abu Shaira and a 13-year-old boy who was awaiting surgery. Another 40 people were injured, and two doctors were in critical condition, they said.

The IDF said it targeted Muhammad Abu Ismail, commander of Hamas' Khan Younis Brigade, and "additional terrorists who were hiding inside the Nasser Hospital." Pressed on whether Abu Ismail died, the IDF did not answer.

Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières, or MSF) condemned the strike. "It is unconscionable that patients and medical staff are once again being killed and injured inside a hospital," the group said. MSF withdrew its own staff from the hospital in January, citing the presence of armed men and concerns over the hospital's neutrality and management.

Peace plan stalled

The Board of Peace, created by the Trump administration with United Nations backing to oversee the ceasefire plan, has made little progress on the 20-point plan agreed in October 2025. On Friday it said it held "very constructive discussions" with 17 countries about a civilian Gaza police force.

That force would answer to a Palestinian technocratic committee meant to run Gaza. The committee has yet to enter the territory, and the international security force meant to stabilize it has not materialized. The board has urged both Israel and Hamas to uphold their commitments and protect civilians.