In Gaza, fears are mounting that Rafah Brigade Commander Muhammad Shabana was also inside the underground compound in Khan Yunis that was bombed by the IDF last night, alongside Muhammad Sinwar, brother of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Israel's security establishment is currently investigating whether other senior Hamas officials were present with Sinwar during the attack. While assessments regarding Sinwar's fate have not yet changed, there is growing "optimism" within Israeli defense circles that he has indeed been eliminated. However, no definitive confirmation has been obtained yet.
Shabana is now one of only two remaining Hamas brigade commanders still alive. Since the assassination of Muhammad Deif and the Khan Yunis Brigade Commander, Shabana has effectively been commanding Hamas operations in the southern Gaza Strip.
In addition, Israeli intelligence estimates that Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for Hamas, may have also been inside the tunnel with Sinwar during the bombing.