Israeli strike kills senior Hamas political leader, his wife in Gaza as offensive escalates

Israeli airstrikes on Khan Younis in Southern Gaza on Sunday (March 23) killed Salah al-Bardaweel, a senior Hamas political leader, and his wife.

Hamas political bureau’s Al-Bardaweel was reportedly killed while praying with his wife in a tent shelter, according to the group’s officials. Israeli authorities have not commented on the strike.

The death was confirmed by Taher Al-Nono, a media adviser to the Hamas leadership, who paid tribute to Bardaweel in a social media post. Pro-Hamas media described the strike as an assassination and framed the attack as part of Israel’s strategy to decapitate Hamas’ leadership.

“His blood, that of his wife and martyrs, will remain fuelling the battle of liberation and independence. The criminal enemy will not break our determination and will,” Hamas said in a statement.

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Storm after the calm

The latest escalation comes after nearly two months of relative calm. On Tuesday, Israel launched a fresh wave of air and ground operations across Gaza, effectively abandoning a fragile ceasefire in place since January.

The stated aim, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is to destroy Hamas’ military capabilities and pressure the group into releasing remaining Israeli hostages.

Bardaweel is the latest in a string of high-ranking Hamas officials killed in recent days. Essam Addalees, head of Hamas’ de facto government, and Mahmoud Abu Watfa, its internal security chief, were among those reportedly killed on Tuesday (March 18). Palestinian health authorities said at least 400 people, over half of them women and children, were killed that day alone.

Ceasefire violation continues

Air strikes have targeted areas across the north, central and southern Gaza Strip, including Rafah, where a house was bombed overnight, injuring several people, according to local doctors.

Hamas has accused Israel of violating the January ceasefire deal by refusing to begin final status negotiations or withdraw its troops. However, the group has signalled it is open to discussions and is reportedly reviewing new proposals put forward by US special envoy Steve Witkoff.

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Much of Gaza now lies in ruins, with hundreds of thousands of displaced residents living in tents and makeshift shelters, and humanitarian agencies warning of worsening conditions as fighting intensifies.

With inputs from Reuters