Israeli air strike kills Hamas political leader in southern Gaza, Hamas says

CAIRO - An Israeli air strike in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis killed Hamas political leader Salah al-Bardaweel on March 23, Hamas officials said, as residents reported an escalation in the Israeli military campaign that began on March 18.

Pro-Hamas media said the airstrike killed Bardaweel, who is a member of the group’s political office, and his wife. Israeli officials had no immediate comment.

The Israeli military confirmed in a statement on March 23 that it killed the Hamas political leader a day earlier.

Taher Al-Nono, the media advisor of the Hamas leadership, mourned Bardaweel’s death in a post on his Facebook page.

Israel resumed significant strikes on Gaza on March 18

, blaming Hamas, abandoning a

ceasefire agreement that began on Jan 19

and ending almost two months of claim.

After two months of relative calm in the war that began more than 17 months ago, Gazans were again fleeing for their lives after Israel effectively abandoned a ceasefire, launching a new all-out air and ground campaign on March 18 against Hamas.

Explosions echoed throughout the north, central, and southern Gaza Strip in the early hours of March 23, as Israeli planes hit several targets in those areas.

At least 30 Palestinians had been killed in Israeli strikes on Rafah and Khan Younis so far on March 23, health authorities said. Those killed included three municipal employees, medics said.

Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued an evacuation warning on X for residents in the Tel Al-Sultan neighbourhood in western Rafah in the south of the strip, saying the military was launching an onslaught there to eradicate “terrorist organisations”.

In a statement, Hamas accused Israel of assassinating Bardaweel, adding that he was praying along with his wife, when an Israeli missile struck their tent shelter in Khan Younis.

“His blood, that of his wife and martyrs, will remain fueling the battle of liberation and independence. The criminal enemy will not break our determination and will,” said the group.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said the main aim of the war is to destroy Hamas as a military and governing entity. He has said the aim of the new campaign is to force the group to give up remaining hostages.

Hamas’ de facto government head Essam Addalees and internal security chief Mahmoud Abu Watfa were among those killed by Israeli strikes on March 18, in addition to several other officials.

Palestinian health officials said at least 400 people, more than half of them women and children, were killed on the same day. REUTERS