Al-Qassam Brigades confirm assassination of Rafah commander Nael Abu Ubaid

The Al-Qassam Brigades have announced the assassination of senior commander Nael Atiya Mohammed Abu Ubaid, known as Abu Atiya, stating that he was a member of the group's General Military Council and commander of the Rafah Brigade.

In a military statement issued on Wednesday, the Al-Qassam Brigades said Abu Ubaid was assassinated in a targeted operation, according to the statement.

According to sources cited by Al Jazeera, Abu Ubaid was alone in a tent at the time of the attack, which resulted in his death, as well as that of a young girl who happened to be passing by. Abu Ubaid was considered one of the veteran leaders of Hamas and the Al-Qassam Brigades in Rafah, and was reportedly close to Mohammed Shabana, the former Rafah Brigade commander whom he succeeded in the post.

It is noteworthy that the Israeli military announced on May 17, 2025, the assassination of Mohammed Shabana, the previous Rafah Brigade commander, after bombing a tunnel near the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Younis. At the time, Shabana was accompanied by Mohammed Al-Sinwar, then Al-Qassam's overall commander, and Raef Salama, the former Khan Younis Brigade commander.

Abu Ubaid participated in founding the Al-Qassam Brigades in Rafah and worked alongside several prominent leaders, including Raed Al-Attar and Mohammed Abu Shamala, both of whom were killed on August 21, 2014. He also had a close relationship with Ahmed Al-Jaabari, the former Al-Qassam commander and right-hand man to Mohammed Deif, who was assassinated by Israel on November 14, 2012.