Israeli Air Strike Claims Life of Senior Hamas Leader in Gaza

Israel has intensified its military actions in Gaza, culminating in the death of Salah al-Bardaweel, a prominent Hamas leader, as tensions reignite following a ceasefire.

Israeli air strikes resumed in Gaza on Tuesday, leading to significant casualties and the targeting of upper-echelon Hamas figures. In an attack on the southern city of Khan Younis, Salah al-Bardaweel, a key political leader in Hamas, was reported killed along with his wife, according to a Hamas official speaking to the BBC.

Israeli military officials have not yet responded to this specific incident, but the escalation comes after a nearly two-month ceasefire that began on January 19. The truce was facilitated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US, but has now been abandoned, triggering renewed hostilities.

Hamas has countered Israel's allegations of provocation, stating that it was Israel that breached the ceasefire agreement. An official from the Hamas health ministry reported that 32 Palestinians had died over the past day across different areas in Gaza, underscoring the increasing toll of renewed attacks.

Since the outbreak of the conflict, triggered by a catastrophic cross-border raid on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 lives lost and additional hostages taken, the situation in Gaza has deteriorated dramatically. According to estimates from the Hamas health ministry, over 49,500 Palestinians have died as a result of the ongoing violence, leaving extensive destruction in its wake across homes and infrastructure within the Strip.