Israel claims killing of Hamas Khan Younis Brigades commander in Gaza

GAZA: The Israeli military has claimed that it killed Muhammad al-Izouri, also known as “Abu al-Haitham,” the commander of Hamas’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip.

According to the claim, al-Izouri and Qassam Brigades engineer Hudhaifa Abu Muammar were killed in an Israeli drone strike while they were walking in the Al-Mawasi area.

The reported strike adds another high-profile development to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Israeli forces have continued targeting Hamas commanders and military operatives.

However, al-Izouri’s identity could not immediately be confirmed, according to the report. His body was reportedly severely damaged in the strike, making identification difficult.

Sources said contact with al-Izouri suddenly stopped following the attack. His close associates reportedly began searching for him after they were unable to reach him.

The search eventually indicated that he had been targeted in the Israeli strike and was among those killed in the attack.

Took command after previous leaders killed

Two sources cited in the report said al-Izouri had assumed responsibility for the Khan Younis Brigade shortly after the deaths of its previous commanders, Izz al-Din al-Haddad and Muhammad Awda.

The two commanders were reportedly killed in May, after which al-Izouri took over leadership of the brigade.

His reported death would represent another significant loss for Hamas’s military structure in Khan Younis, an area that has remained a major focus of Israeli military operations throughout the conflict.

The Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s armed wing, has maintained an extensive network of fighters and military infrastructure across Gaza and has been a primary target of Israeli operations.

Identity remains unconfirmed

Despite the Israeli military’s claim, the immediate uncertainty surrounding al-Izouri’s identification means that independent confirmation remains important.

The reported condition of the bodies has further complicated the verification process, according to sources quoted in the report.

The latest development comes amid continued fighting and Israeli military operations across Gaza, with Hamas commanders and members of its armed wing facing sustained targeting.

The killing claim also underscores the continuing importance of Khan Younis, which has repeatedly emerged as a major battleground and a key area of Hamas’s military presence.

For now, the reported death of al-Izouri remains based on the Israeli military claim and sources cited in the report, while questions over his identification remain.