Israeli Airstrike Kills Hamas Political Leader as Gaza Conflict Escalates
CAIRO, March 23 (Reuters) – A significant escalation in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict has resulted in the death of Salah al-Bardaweel, a prominent political leader within Hamas, following an Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza on Sunday. The militant group confirmed Bardaweel’s death, adding to the already staggering death toll from nearly 18 months of conflict, which Palestinian officials now estimate to be over 50,000.
The renewed violence shatters a fragile period of relative calm that had lasted for approximately two months. Gazans, who had cautiously begun to rebuild their lives, are once again fleeing their homes in desperation as Israel has effectively abandoned the ceasefire and launched a new, comprehensive air and ground campaign against Hamas.
Eyewitnesses reported that explosions reverberated throughout the northern, central, and southern Gaza Strip early Sunday morning, as Israeli planes targeted numerous locations. The scale and intensity of these attacks mark a clear escalation from the actions of earlier in the week. Health authorities in Gaza reported that at least 30 Palestinians had been killed in Israeli strikes on Rafah and Khan Younis on Sunday alone. Among the deceased were three municipal employees, according to medical personnel.
Hamas confirmed that the airstrike on Khan Younis specifically targeted and killed Bardaweel and his wife. As of now, Israeli officials have not issued an immediate statement or comment regarding the incident.
Salah al-Bardaweel held a significant position within Hamas, serving as a member of the group’s decision-making political office. Over the years, he had taken on various key roles, including leading the Hamas delegation for indirect truce talks with Israel in 2009 and heading the group’s media office in 2005. In response to Bardaweel’s death, Hamas issued a statement vowing that "his blood, that of his wife, and martyrs, will remain fueling the battle of liberation and independence."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently stated that the primary objective of the war is to dismantle Hamas as both a military and governing entity. He has repeatedly emphasized this goal in public addresses and official statements. Netanyahu has also said that the current campaign is aimed at compelling Hamas to release the remaining hostages captured during the October 7th attack.
The ongoing conflict was ignited following a large-scale incursion into southern Israel by Hamas fighters on October 7, 2023. According to Israeli figures, the attack resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of over 250 hostages.
Hamas has accused Israel of violating the terms of the January ceasefire agreement. The group contends that Israel reneged on its commitment to initiate negotiations aimed at achieving a permanent end to the war and withdrawing its troops from Gaza. Despite these accusations, Hamas maintains that it remains open to negotiations and is actively considering "bridging" proposals put forward by U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff.
The human cost of the conflict continues to mount. The health ministry in Gaza reported on Sunday that at least 50,021 Palestinians have been killed and 113,274 wounded since the war began. The already strained healthcare system is struggling to cope with the influx of casualties, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
In anticipation of further military operations, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued an evacuation warning on the social media platform X, directing residents of the Tel Al-Sultan neighborhood in western Rafah, located in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, to leave the area.
Shortly after the evacuation order, the military announced that troops had encircled Tel Al-Sultan to "dismantle terror infrastructure sites and eliminate terrorists in the area" This operation, they stated, is intended to "reinforce control and expand the security zone in southern Gaza." The military added that soldiers were facilitating the evacuation of civilians from the combat zone via designated routes to ensure their safety.
The evacuation order triggered a mass exodus from Tel Al-Sultan, with dozens of families abandoning their homes and heading northward to Khan Younis. Some families were forced to walk, carrying their belongings and children. Others used donkey carts and rickshaws to transport their possessions.
Abu Khaled, a resident of Rafah, shared his despair via a chat app, "When the ceasefire began, we returned to put up tents next to the ruins of our homes, dreaming that soon our homes would be rebuilt." He continued, "Now we are fleeing under fire for maybe the 10th time, when will we ever rest? When will there ever be peace in this city?"
The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service issued a dire warning, stating that 50,000 residents remained trapped in Rafah after being caught off guard by an Israeli army raid into their areas. The organization emphasized the heightened risks to the lives of both residents and rescue teams.
Palestinian and international officials have also raised concerns about the resurgence of the risk of famine in Gaza. Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the United Nations agency on Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), posted on X, "Every day without food inches Gaza closer to an acute hunger crisis. Banning aid is a collective punishment on Gaza: the vast majority of its population are children, women & ordinary men."
The humanitarian situation has been further complicated by Israel’s decision on March 2 to block the entry of goods into Gaza. Ophir Falk, Netanyahu’s foreign policy advisor, accused Hamas of diverting aid for its own use, a charge that Hamas has consistently denied.
The escalating violence and dire humanitarian conditions underscore the urgent need for a renewed ceasefire and a comprehensive resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The international community is increasing pressure on both sides to de-escalate tensions and engage in meaningful negotiations to achieve a lasting peace.
(Reporting and writing by Nidal Al-Mughrabi. Additional reporting by Jaidaa Taha and Muhammad Al Gebaly in Cairo; Editing by David Gregorio, William Mallard, Elaine Hardcastle and Alison Williams)
