A senior Hamas political leader, Salah al-Bardaweel, was killed alongside his wife in an Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza's Khan Younis on Sunday, Hamas officials confirmed. The attack marks a significant escalation in renewed hostilities after two months of relative calm, with Palestinian health officials reporting at least 400 fatalities this week—over half women and children.
Witnesses described widespread explosions across Gaza overnight as Israel launched airstrikes targeting Hamas leadership positions. The militant group accused Israel of assassinating Bardaweel while he prayed in a tent shelter, vowing his death would "fuel the battle of liberation." Israeli authorities have not commented on the strike.
The conflict reignited on Tuesday when Israel abandoned a January ceasefire agreement, initiating what Hamas calls an "all-out air and ground campaign." At least five senior Hamas officials were reportedly killed in earlier strikes this week, including key figures in Gaza's governance structures.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his government's objective to "destroy Hamas as a military and governing entity" and pressure the group to release remaining hostages. Meanwhile, Hamas contends Israel violated the ceasefire terms by refusing war-ending negotiations but says it remains open to mediation efforts.
Thousands of Gazans are evacuating conflict zones as infrastructure damage and casualties mount. The UN reports over 85,000 displaced this week, exacerbating humanitarian challenges in the besieged enclave.
