The Israel Defense Forces on Sunday announced that Hamas commander Khalil Abd al-Nasser Muhammad Khatib has been eliminated.

Khalil Abd al-Nasser Muhammad Khatib was a cell commander in Hamas' Al Mawasi battalion.

IDF said he was eliminated on Friday.

Sharing details about his elimination, he wrote on X: "Khalil commanded the terrorist cell that launched anti-tank missiles at buildings where IDF troops were operating and at an IDF tank squad securing the force in the Al Mawasi area on January 22, 2024, resulting in the death of 21 soldiers."

"Additionally, throughout the war, he was involved in and advanced numerous terror attacks against IDF troops," IDF said.

Gaza: Israeli tank shelling close to aid centre leaves 26 dead

At least 26 people died and 150 others were injured after an Israeli tank shelling and gunfire in close to an aid distribution unit in Rafah city in Gaza on Sunday, media reports said.

Mohammed Ghareeb, a local journalist in Rafah, told the BBC that thousands of Palestinians had gathered near the aid centre when Israeli tanks approached and opened fire on the crowd.

According to reports, the injured people were transported to the Red Cross field hospital in the al-Mawasi area.

The IDF earlier did not deny that gunfire was carried out, but said it was unaware of any injuries caused, reported The Times of Israel.

Journalist Ghareeb said the dead and the wounded lay on the ground for a long time before they were rescued.

He told BBC: "Rescue crews could not access the area, which is under Israeli control. This forced residents to use donkey carts to transport victims to the field hospital."