An Israeli air strike in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, has killed senior Hamas political leader Salah al-Bardaweel, along with his wife, according to a Hamas official. The strike comes amid renewed hostilities following the collapse of a ceasefire agreement that had lasted nearly two months.
Hamas confirmed Bardaweel’s death, stating that he had been praying with his wife when their tent was hit by an Israeli missile. Israeli officials have not commented on the specific attack, but the military resumed major strikes on Gaza last Tuesday, citing continued Hamas aggression as the reason for abandoning the ceasefire.
The truce, which began on January 19, was brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. However, Israel accused Hamas of violating the agreement, prompting a return to hostilities. Hamas, in turn, rejected the accusations and claimed that Israel was the one responsible for breaching the deal.
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reported that 32 Palestinians had been killed in the past 24 hours across different parts of the territory. Since the outbreak of the war on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a cross-border attack that killed approximately 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, Israeli military operations in Gaza have resulted in over 49,500 Palestinian deaths, according to the ministry. The ongoing conflict has caused widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure in the enclave.
Israel’s military campaign is aimed at dismantling Hamas, which it holds responsible for orchestrating attacks against Israeli civilians and military personnel. The latest escalation underscores the fragile nature of diplomatic efforts to broker peace, as both sides continue to trade accusations over ceasefire violations.
International mediators have urged both parties to return to negotiations, but with violence escalating, the prospects for a renewed truce remain uncertain. The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with aid agencies warning of severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.
As tensions mount, the region braces for further conflict, with no immediate resolution in sight.
