GAZA: An Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, a southern city in Gaza, has killed senior Hamas political leader Salah al-Bardaweel, according to a Hamas official, international media reports have said.
Locals reported that Bardaweel, a member of Hamas’s political office, and his wife were both killed in the strike.
Israeli officials have not provided an immediate comment on the incident. The Israeli military resumed significant airstrikes on Gaza on Tuesday, accusing Hamas of refusing to extend the first phase of a ceasefire agreement that had been in effect since January 19 and lasted almost two months.
In response, Hamas rejected Israel’s accusations and accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the US.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry, 32 Palestinians were killed in the past 24 hours across various areas of Gaza.
Hamas stated that Bardaweel was praying with his wife when an Israeli missile struck their tent. Bardaweel, who had previously served as a spokesperson for Hamas, was a frequent figure in local media.
Since Israel resumed its military campaign against Hamas on Tuesday, around 10 Hamas officials have been reported killed.
The Israeli military began its operations against Hamas following the unprecedented cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 251 hostages.
Since then, the Hamas-run health ministry has reported that more than 49,500 Palestinians have died in Gaza, and there has been widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure in the region.
(Inputs from BBC)
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