The Israel Defense Forces has announced a series of operations targeting Hamas and Hezbollah, including the killing of a Hamas military commander in Gaza and strikes on infrastructure in southern Lebanon.
In separate statements on Saturday, September 19, the Israeli military also released new allegations concerning Nael Abu Obeid, the Hamas Rafah Brigade commander killed earlier in the week, claiming he had been involved in holding Israeli hostages for years.
The developments come as Israeli forces continue operations against armed groups in Gaza and along the Lebanese front.
IDF Says Muhammad Suleiman Byouk Killed in Gaza
The IDF announced that Muhammad Suleiman Byouk, whom it identified as a commander in Hamas’s military wing, had been killed.
According to the Israeli military, Byouk participated in the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel.
The IDF further alleged that he subsequently played a role in planting explosive devices across Gaza intended to target Israeli troops.
Israel said Byouk had continued planning and advancing attacks against both Israeli civilians and military personnel while also participating in efforts to rebuild Hamas’s capabilities.
The military described those activities as systematic violations of the ceasefire and said he was targeted because of the threat it believed he continued to pose.
Israel Releases New Claims About Slain Rafah Brigade Commander
In a separate announcement, the IDF disclosed additional intelligence it said had been gathered about Nael Abu Obeid, commander of Hamas’s Rafah Brigade.
Abu Obeid was killed earlier in the week in an Israeli strike in southern Gaza.
The IDF and Shin Bet previously identified him as a senior Hamas figure who headed the Rafah Brigade as well as an operations division within the group’s military wing.
Israeli authorities said he had previously served as the brigade’s deputy commander and commanded the Tel al-Sultan and Yibna battalions before eventually assuming leadership of the Rafah Brigade.
The IDF said Abu Obeid succeeded Muhammad Shabana, the previous brigade commander who was killed in an Israeli strike in May 2025.
IDF Links Abu Obeid to Israeli Hostages
Following what it described as an intelligence investigation involving Israeli security agencies, the military claimed Abu Obeid had been involved in the abduction and detention of Israeli civilians and soldiers over a period spanning several years.
Among the cases highlighted by the IDF was that of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin.
Israel said Abu Obeid was involved in holding Goldin after the Israeli officer was captured during fighting in Gaza in 2014.
The military also alleged that Abu Obeid was involved in holding several hostages during the latest war.
IDF Says Nimrod Cohen Was Held in Rafah Tunnel
One of the hostages specifically identified by the Israeli military was Sergeant First Class Nimrod Cohen.
According to the IDF, Abu Obeid was involved in holding Cohen inside an underground tunnel in the Rafah area.
Israeli authorities have increasingly released information about individuals they accuse of participating in the capture, guarding or detention of hostages during the conflict.
The latest claims about Abu Obeid were released several days after his death rather than in the initial announcement confirming the strike against him.
Abu Obeid Was Senior Figure in Hamas’s Rafah Operations
The IDF and Shin Bet previously described Abu Obeid as an important member of Hamas’s senior military leadership.
According to the Israeli military, he was responsible for overseeing Rafah Brigade operations and directing fighters involved in attacks against Israeli troops and civilians.
Israel also accused him of working to rebuild the brigade after it suffered substantial losses during the war.
Abu Obeid’s death was confirmed by the IDF and Shin Bet following a strike in southern Gaza on September 15.
Reports at the time noted that Hamas had not immediately publicly confirmed the Israeli military’s account of his death.
Hezbollah Sites Hit Following Explosive Device Incident
Meanwhile, Israel also carried out strikes against what the IDF described as Hezbollah infrastructure across several locations in southern Lebanon.
The Israeli military said the operation came in response to an explosive device that detonated in what Israel calls the Security Zone.
Two IDF soldiers travelling in a military engineering vehicle were lightly wounded in the incident, according to the military.
Israel said its subsequent strikes were directed at Hezbollah positions connected with operations against Israeli forces.
Observation Posts Among Targets in Southern Lebanon
The IDF said observation posts were among the Hezbollah facilities targeted during the strikes.
Other infrastructure allegedly used by Hezbollah members to prepare and carry out attacks against Israeli troops was also struck, according to the military.
The IDF presented the operation as a direct response to the explosive-device attack that wounded its soldiers.
The latest exchange highlights the continuing volatility along the Israel-Lebanon front despite efforts to contain hostilities.
Operations Keep Pressure on Hamas and Hezbollah
Saturday’s announcements show Israel continuing simultaneous military pressure against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah-linked infrastructure in southern Lebanon.
In Gaza, the latest disclosures have focused both on commanders accused of participating in the October 7 attack and senior Hamas figures Israel says remained involved in rebuilding the organisation and planning further attacks.
The IDF’s claims concerning Byouk and Abu Obeid largely concern intelligence and operational information supplied by Israeli security agencies, and not all of the specific allegations have been independently verified.
In Lebanon, Israel says its latest strikes were retaliatory and aimed at infrastructure being used to threaten its forces.
Together, the operations indicate that Israel continues to view both Hamas’s efforts to restore its military capabilities in Gaza and Hezbollah activity near Israeli forces as active security threats requiring military action.
