A drone strike in Gaza City's al-Nasr neighborhood killed Izz al-Din al-Bik, the commander of Hamas's Northern Gaza Brigade, during an overnight operation. The attack hit a residential apartment building, resulting in at least one death and leaving several children severely injured, based on reports from al-Shifa Hospital. Israeli officials including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the targeting of al-Bik, alleging he planned attacks against Israeli forces and recruited new operatives.

The death of al-Bik is the fourth time in three weeks that Israel has killed a Hamas brigade commander, with other recent strikes hitting leadership in Khan Younis and Rafah. Al-Bik had taken over the Northern Gaza command in May 2026 following the death of Izz al-Din al-Haddad. The Israel Defense Forces have not yet issued an official statement on the dawn operation.