Israeli Defense Forces and the Israeli Security Agency targeted the leader of Hamas's Rafah Brigade in a strike in Mawasi, Khan Younis, on Sept. 15. Gazan media identified the killed officer as Nael Abu Obeid, also known as Abu Atiya, while local sources reported two deaths and 14 injuries during the air operation.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz stated the attack followed the elimination of the Khan Younis Brigade commander and other senior leaders earlier this week. A senior security official told reporters that the hit on the Rafah commander appears successful, and Netanyahu added that no terrorist is immune.