IDF and Shin Bet Confirm Killing of Hamas Rafah Brigade Commander Nael Abu Obeid in Southern Gaza

The IDF and Shin Bet jointly confirmed late Tuesday, September 15, 2026 (announced 11:47pm local time) that a strike in the southern Gaza Strip earlier that evening killed Nael Abu Obeid, commander of Hamas's Rafah Brigade and head of the organization's military wing operations array. According to the military, Abu Obeid previously served as deputy commander of the Rafah Brigade and commander of its Tel al-Sultan and Yibna battalions, played an operational role in commanding forces during the October 7, 2023 attack, and was appointed to the top Rafah Brigade post after the killing of predecessor Mohammad Shabana in May 2025. The IDF said it used precision munitions and aerial surveillance and took steps to minimize harm to civilians. The strike followed a run of Israeli operations that officials said killed the Khan Younis Brigade commander and other senior Hamas figures earlier the same week. No Hamas confirmation of Abu Obeid's death was available at time of reporting.