Israeli strike kills Hamas figure in Gaza Strip: report
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Two Israeli air strikes have killed five people in Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip, local health authorities say, and Palestinian media reported that one of those killed was a senior figure in the armed wing of Hamas.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the incident.
Palestinian media identified him as Mohammed al-Holy, describing him as a local Hamas commander in Deir al-Balah.
The militant group did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
More than 400 Palestinians and three Israeli soldiers have been reported killed since a fragile ceasefire took effect in October.
Israel has razed buildings and ordered residents out of more than half of the Gaza Strip where its troops remain.
Nearly all of the territory’s more than two million people live in makeshift homes or damaged buildings in a sliver of territory where Israeli troops have withdrawn and Hamas has reasserted control.
The United Nations children agency said on Tuesday that more than 100 children have been killed in the enclave since the ceasefire, including victims of drone and quadcopter attacks.
Israel and Hamas have traded blame for violations of the ceasefire and remain far apart from each other on key issues, despite the United States announcing the second phase of the ceasefire on Wednesday.
Israel launched its operations in the Gaza Strip after an attack by Hamas-led fighters on October, 2023 which killed 1200 people, according to Israeli tallies.
Israel’s assault has killed 71,000 people, according to health authorities in the Gaza Strip and left much of the enclave in ruins.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cast the US announcement that the ceasefire would advance to its second phase as largely symbolic.
Speaking late on Wednesday with the parents of the last Israeli hostage whose remains are still in the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu said the governing committee of Palestinians announced as part of the second phase was merely a “declarative move” rather than the sign of progress described by US envoy Steve Witkoff.
Israeli police officer Ran Gvili’s parents had earlier pressed Netanyahu not to advance the ceasefire until their son’s remains were returned, which Israel’s Hostage and Missing Families Forum said on Wednesday.
Netanyahu told Gvili’s parents that his return remained a top priority.
with AP
Reuters
