Khan Younis: An Israeli air strike in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis has killed senior Hamas political leader Salah al-Bardaweel. The strike also claimed the life of Bardaweel’s wife, according to local sources.
Israeli officials have not yet commented on the operation. The air strike comes with a renewed Israeli military offensive on Gaza, which resumed after Israel accused Hamas of violating a ceasefire agreement that had been in place since January 19. The truce, which had lasted nearly two months, was mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States.
Hamas has denied the Israeli allegations and, in turn, accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire terms. The escalation has resulted in intensified air strikes across the enclave. A spokesperson for the Hamas-run health ministry stated that 32 Palestinians had been killed in the past 24 hours across various parts of Gaza.
Israel launched its military campaign against Hamas following the October 7, 2023, cross-border attack by the group, in which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage. In response, the Israeli military has carried out comprehensive air and ground operations aimed at dismantling Hamas’ infrastructure.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry, more than 49,500 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began, with large-scale destruction reported across the territory. The ongoing hostilities have further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with vast numbers of civilians displaced and critical infrastructure severely damaged.
The situation remains volatile, with no immediate sign of de-escalation as both sides continue to trade charges over ceasefire violations and intensify military operations.
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