Hamas reports Israeli air strike in S Gaza results in death of their political leader
An air strike by Israel in southern Gaza resulted in the death of Hamas political leader Salah al-Bardaweel on Sunday, according to officials from the militant group. Meanwhile, residents have reported an increase in hostilities in the military campaign that has been ongoing for six days.
TroibNews 
An Israeli air strike in southern Gaza resulted in the death of Hamas political leader Salah al-Bardaweel on Sunday, as reported by officials from the militant group. Residents indicated an escalation in Israel's military campaign, which has been ongoing for six days.
Pro-Hamas media outlets stated that the air strike targeted Khan Younis, killing Bardaweel, a member of the group's political office, along with his wife. Israeli officials had not commented immediately on the incident.
Taher Al-Nono, the media adviser for Hamas leadership, expressed his grief over Bardaweel's death in a Facebook post.
Following two months of relative calm in a conflict that has persisted for over 17 months, residents of Gaza began fleeing for safety again, as Israel moved away from a ceasefire and initiated an all-out air and ground assault against Hamas on Tuesday.
On Sunday, explosions were heard throughout northern, central, and southern Gaza Strip, as Israeli aircraft targeted various locations, indicating an escalation of the military operations that started the previous week.
According to health authorities, at least 18 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes on Rafah and Khan Younis on Sunday.
Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued an evacuation warning via X for residents in the Tel Al-Sultan neighborhood in western Rafah, stating that the military was commencing an operation to eliminate "terrorist organizations."
In a statement, Hamas accused Israel of assassinating Bardaweel, claiming he was praying with his wife when an Israeli missile hit 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," the group stated.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently articulated that the primary goal of the Israel-Hamas conflict is to dismantle Hamas as both a military and governing body. This new campaign aims to compel Hamas to release remaining hostages.
Among those killed in Israeli strikes on Tuesday were Hamas' de facto government head Essam Addalees and internal security chief Mahmoud Abu Watfa, alongside several other officials.
Palestinian health officials reported that on Tuesday alone, at least 400 individuals were killed, with over half being women and children. According to Palestinian medics, an Israeli aircraft bombed a house in Rafah, inflicting injuries on several people.
Hamas has alleged that Israel violated the terms of the January ceasefire agreement by refusing to engage in negotiations to end the conflict and withdraw its forces from Gaza. Nonetheless, Hamas has indicated they are open to negotiations and are considering "bridging" proposals from U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff.
The renewed air strikes and ground operations, which have had a devastating impact on Gaza, have prompted calls for a ceasefire from Arab and European nations. A joint statement from Britain, France, and Germany urged Israel to restore access for humanitarian aid.
Israel has restricted the entry of goods into Gaza, while Netanyahu's foreign policy adviser, Ophir Falk, accused Hamas of misappropriating aid for its own purposes, a claim that Hamas has denied.
Max Fischer contributed to this article for TROIB News
Pro-Hamas media outlets stated that the air strike targeted Khan Younis, killing Bardaweel, a member of the group's political office, along with his wife. Israeli officials had not commented immediately on the incident.
Taher Al-Nono, the media adviser for Hamas leadership, expressed his grief over Bardaweel's death in a Facebook post.
Following two months of relative calm in a conflict that has persisted for over 17 months, residents of Gaza began fleeing for safety again, as Israel moved away from a ceasefire and initiated an all-out air and ground assault against Hamas on Tuesday.
On Sunday, explosions were heard throughout northern, central, and southern Gaza Strip, as Israeli aircraft targeted various locations, indicating an escalation of the military operations that started the previous week.
According to health authorities, at least 18 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes on Rafah and Khan Younis on Sunday.
Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued an evacuation warning via X for residents in the Tel Al-Sultan neighborhood in western Rafah, stating that the military was commencing an operation to eliminate "terrorist organizations."
In a statement, Hamas accused Israel of assassinating Bardaweel, claiming he was praying with his wife when an Israeli missile hit 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," the group stated.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently articulated that the primary goal of the Israel-Hamas conflict is to dismantle Hamas as both a military and governing body. This new campaign aims to compel Hamas to release remaining hostages.
Among those killed in Israeli strikes on Tuesday were Hamas' de facto government head Essam Addalees and internal security chief Mahmoud Abu Watfa, alongside several other officials.
Palestinian health officials reported that on Tuesday alone, at least 400 individuals were killed, with over half being women and children. According to Palestinian medics, an Israeli aircraft bombed a house in Rafah, inflicting injuries on several people.
Hamas has alleged that Israel violated the terms of the January ceasefire agreement by refusing to engage in negotiations to end the conflict and withdraw its forces from Gaza. Nonetheless, Hamas has indicated they are open to negotiations and are considering "bridging" proposals from U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff.
The renewed air strikes and ground operations, which have had a devastating impact on Gaza, have prompted calls for a ceasefire from Arab and European nations. A joint statement from Britain, France, and Germany urged Israel to restore access for humanitarian aid.
Israel has restricted the entry of goods into Gaza, while Netanyahu's foreign policy adviser, Ophir Falk, accused Hamas of misappropriating aid for its own purposes, a claim that Hamas has denied.
Max Fischer contributed to this article for TROIB News
