KUALA LUMPUR – Israel has killed senior Hamas political leader Salah al-Bardawil in an airstrike on Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, as violence surges following the collapse of the ceasefire agreement.
The strike, which also claimed the life of his wife, comes amid a broader Israeli offensive that has killed at least 32 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip since Saturday, reported various media outlets.
Hamas said that Salah, who is a Hamas political bureau member and parliamentarian, and his wife were praying when an Israeli missile struck their tent, according to Reuters. The Israeli military has yet to comment on the strike.
This escalation follows Israel’s decision to abandon the ceasefire agreement, initially brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the US. The truce, which began on January 19, had largely held until Israel resumed significant military operations on Tuesday, citing alleged ceasefire violations by Hamas.
Hamas, however, has denied these accusations and said Israel refused to implement the second phase of the agreement.
The ongoing Israeli bombardment has led to increasing casualties, with the Palestinian Health Ministry reporting 634 Palestinians killed and 1,172 injured since Tuesday, most of them women and children.
The overall death toll in Gaza has surpassed 49,747, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, while the Government Media Office estimates more than 61,700 have died, including those presumed buried under rubble.
Beyond Gaza, Israeli forces have also conducted strikes in southern Lebanon following an alleged rocket attack, killing at least seven people and threatening a four-month-old ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, US forces have launched fresh air raids on Yemen, targeting Hodeidah airport and the port of as-Salif, as reported by Yemeni media. – March 23, 2025