Israeli special forces disguised themselves as women during a covert military operation in southern Gaza on Monday that resulted in the assassination of a prominent Palestinian commander and the abduction of his family.

Ahmad Sarhan, a senior leader of the Nasser Salahuddin Brigades, the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) – was killed in Khan Younis during a shootout with Israeli forces, according to Palestinian media.

His wife and children were reportedly taken by the Israeli military during the operation.

The PRC, an alliance of smaller Palestinian factions, is considered the third-largest armed group in Gaza after Hamas and Islamic Jihad, according to Israeli media.

The Israeli unit reportedly entered the area before dawn in trucks loaded with mattresses and food, posing as displaced civilians. Some soldiers, dressed as women, hid inside the vehicles to avoid detection as they approached Sarhan’s suspected location.

After their cover was blown, heavy clashes broke out. Sarhan was killed in the firefight, and Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes to support the troops’ withdrawal.

While some reports suggested that Israeli forces initially intended to capture Sarhan, who was allegedly involved in holding captives, he was ultimately killed in the raid. His body was later transported to Nasser Hospital and mourned by his brigade.

Israel’s military said the operation was part of its ongoing ground and air offensive, referred to as Operation Gideon’s Chariots, but did not confirm or deny the specific objective of the raid. Initial speculation suggested the mission aimed to locate captives, but the army denied this without offering further details.

Separately, the military on Monday ordered an “immediate” evacuation of Khan Younis, Gaza’s second-largest city, ahead of what it called an “unprecedented” new assault. The city and its surrounding areas have since come under intense bombardment.

Israel claims 24 captives taken on 7 October 2023 remain alive in Gaza, including a Thai and a Nepali national. Ceasefire negotiations mediated by international parties have so far failed, as the humanitarian crisis deepens.

Some aid trucks entered Gaza on Monday for the first time in two months, but the UN warned the assistance was far from adequate.

More than 53,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its war on Gaza on 7 October 2023. Thousands more are believed to remain trapped or buried beneath the rubble.