The IDF and Shin Bet killed Muhammad Fathi Abd al-Hay Abu Fakher, commander of the 'Yabna' Battalion in Hamas's Rafah Brigade, in a strike on Monday. The military said Abu Fakher was a veteran commander who recently recruited new operatives, led training, and attempted to rebuild the battalion's capabilities to attack Israeli forces. He also oversaw weapons smuggling into Gaza for over 20 years.
The IDF and Shin Bet confirmed Tuesday that a precise strike on Monday eliminated Muhammad Fathi Abd al-Hay Abu Fakher, commander of Hamas's 'Yabna' Battalion in the Rafah Brigade. The military described him as a veteran figure who had been actively recruiting and training new operatives in recent weeks as part of an effort to rebuild the battalion's combat capabilities. In addition to his command role, Abu Fakher was identified as a senior logistics official who oversaw weapons smuggling into the Gaza Strip for approximately two decades. The IDF said troops from the Southern Command remain deployed in the area in accordance with the existing agreement and will continue to operate to remove any immediate threats. Video documentation of the strike was released alongside the announcement.
Abu Fakher's elimination follows a series of targeted operations against senior Hamas commanders in Rafah and Khan Younis over recent weeks, including the killing of Ismail Masri, the Rafah Brigade's military security chief, last week. The ongoing campaign reflects the military's stated focus on degrading the command and logistics infrastructure of Hamas's remaining battalions in southern Gaza. The operation was jointly conducted by the IDF and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet).
3 developments
- StrongIDF eliminates Hamas Rafah Brigade battalion commander, veteran smuggler
- StrongIDF eliminates senior Hamas operative involved in holding hostages
- StrongIDF eliminates Hamas Oct. 7 infiltrator who was rebuilding terror capabilities in Gaza
- DevelopingIDF eliminates senior Hamas commander involved in October 7 infiltration at Kisufim
Source and signal
- Internal intake