Israel News for 9-16-2026
News Update
The IDF and Shin Bet killed Hamas’ Rafah Brigade commander Nayal Abu Obeid in a drone strike in southern Gaza last night. Abu Obeid took over the Rafah Brigade in May 2025 after his predecessor, Mohammed Shabana, was killed in Khan Younis alongside Mohammed Sinwar, then head of Hamas’ military wing. The strike comes amid a recent campaign to eliminate Hamas leaders.
The IDF now controls more than 64% of the Gaza Strip, including key entry points and crossings, which has drastically limited Hamas’ ability to smuggle weapons and rebuild its arsenal. But while their military capabilities and leadership have been severely degraded, Hamas still remains armed and is focused on restoring local governance and rebuilding a presence across parts of Gaza. For more, click here.
Israel is reportedly aiding Saudi Arabia with intelligence assistance amid the kingdom’s fight against the Houthis, according to diplomatic sources in the region. According to the sources, the assistance is being transferred to Riyadh through the U.S. military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) and does not involve operational support or direct Israeli participation in the fighting.
The Trump administration is preparing a $2.8 billion sale of heavy bombs to Israel, including 20,000 MK-84 munitions, whose delivery was previously halted by former President Biden. The proposed package would include 40,000 two-thousand-pound bombs, half of them MK-84s and half BLU-117s, as well as 20,000 I-2000 Penetrator warheads designed to penetrate fortified targets. Relevant congressional committees have been informed informally of the planned sale, but it does not require Congressional approval. Most of the package would be paid for through US Foreign Military Financing.
IDF troops detained Palestinian-American journalist Naqaa Hamed, a correspondent for Iran’s Press TV, at a checkpoint southeast of Bethlehem on Tuesday evening, with IDF sources saying she is suspected of cooperating with an enemy entity and may also be under suspicion of espionage.
