An Israeli airstrike on the southern city of Khan Younis, Gaza, has resulted in the death of senior Hamas political leader Salah al-Bardaweel. The attack also claimed the life of his wife, as they were praying in their tent.
Salah al-Bardaweel’s Role in Hamas
Bardaweel, 66, was one of Hamas’s highest-ranking political leaders, especially following the deaths of Yahya Sinwar and Rawhi Mushtaha in the ongoing conflict. A father of eight, he was born in the Khan Younis refugee camp and maintained close ties to Sinwar. He previously led Hamas’s parliamentary bloc and was re-elected to its political bureau in 2021.
Intensified Israeli Bombardment in Gaza
The airstrike was part of a renewed Israeli offensive in southern Gaza, following the collapse of the ceasefire last Tuesday. At least 30 people were reported dead in Khan Younis and Rafah on Sunday alone, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health authorities. The overall death toll in Gaza has now surpassed 50,000 since the war began.
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Ceasefire Collapse and Renewed Conflict
Israel resumed heavy airstrikes earlier this week after a nearly two-month truce ended. Israeli officials accused Hamas of rejecting a US-backed ceasefire proposal, while Hamas blamed Israel for abandoning the original Qatar-, Egypt-, and US-mediated agreement. The previous deal had included:
- Israeli military withdrawal
- Release of hostages and prisoners
- Negotiations for a long-term peace settlement
Netanyahu Orders Expansion of Israeli Operations
As the conflict escalates, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the military to “seize additional territories” in Gaza, signaling a wider military expansion in the region.
