Jerusalem (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Gaza political leader Salah al-Bardaweel was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Sunday, officials of the militant group said.
Hamas media confirmed the airstrike on Khan Younis killed Bardaweel, a member of the Palestinian group’s political office, and his spouse. In a Facebook post, Taher Al-Nono, Hamas’ media adviser, mourned Bardaweel’s death.
Following two months of relative peace in the war that started over 17 months ago, Gazans found themselves fleeing once more as Israel ended the ceasefire, initiating a new, large-scale air and ground assault on Hamas on Tuesday.
On Sunday morning, explosions reverberated across northern, central, and southern Gaza Strip as Israeli aircraft struck multiple targets, which witnesses described as an escalation of the offensive initiated on Tuesday.
Health authorities reported that, as of Sunday, Israeli strikes on Rafah and Khan Younis have resulted in the deaths of at least 30 Palestinians, including three municipal workers, according to medics.
Hamas claimed that Israel killed Bardaweel while he was praying with his wife, as an Israeli missile hit their tent in Khan Younis.
His blood, that of his wife and martyrs, will remain fuelling the battle of liberation and independence. The criminal enemy will not break our determination and will,
said the group.
What impact has the latest offensive had on civilians?
According to Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee, residents of Tel Al-Sultan neighbourhood in western Rafah were warned to evacuate, stating the military was launching an onslaught there to eradicate “terrorist organisations”. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said the main purpose of the war is to eliminate Hamas as a military and governing entity. He has stated the new campaign aims to force the group to give up the remaining hostages.
Palestinian health authorities reported that at least 400 individuals, over half of whom were women and children, lost their lives on Tuesday.
Palestinian medics said an Israeli plane bombed a house in Rafah, wounding several people.
Hamas accuses Israel of violating the January ceasefire by not initiating talks for ending the war and withdrawing its troops from Gaza. Nevertheless, Hamas stated it remains open to negotiations and is reviewing “bridging” proposals from U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff.
The renewed air strikes and ground assaults that have ravaged Gaza have prompted calls for a ceasefire from Arab and European nations. Britain, France, and Germany released a joint statement urging Israel to reestablish access to humanitarian aid.
Israeli officials have blocked the entry of goods into Gaza, and Netanyahu’s foreign policy adviser, Ophir Falk, has accused Hamas of taking aid to use for its own purposes, a charge Hamas has previously denied.
