Israeli Airstrike Hits Southern Gaza, Hamas Political Leader Killed | WPN World People News

On the 23rd, Israel carried out intense airstrikes on Khan Younis, southern Gaza, killing Salah al-Bardaweel, Hamas' highest-ranking political leader, along with his wife. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s foreign policy advisor warned that Israel would continue striking Hamas targets until all hostages were returned home.

Salah al-Bardaweel, 66, was born in the Khan Younis refugee camp and had close ties to current Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. He was considered one of the core second-generation leaders within Hamas and played a significant role in the organization. He previously served as the head of Hamas’ parliamentary political department and rejoined Hamas’ political bureau in 2021. Following reports that Sinwar and Rawhi Mushtaha had been killed in the conflict, al-Bardaweel was regarded as Hamas’ highest political leader.

Since Israel resumed its offensive against Hamas on the 18th, military operations have escalated. Netanyahu’s senior advisor, Ophir Falk, stated that the best way to pressure Hamas into releasing the remaining 59 hostages was through military force. He claimed that Hamas only returned to negotiations due to military pressure, which is why the Israeli military is continuing its operations.

During her visit to Egypt, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas called for an end to the renewed violence in Gaza. She strongly opposed Israel’s resumption of hostilities, which she said had caused shocking casualties. "The killing must stop, or both sides will lose," Kallas warned.

Kallas is also set to visit Israel and Palestine, where she is expected to meet with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, and opposition leader Yair Lapid. She emphasized that, from the European perspective, Hamas must release all hostages, Israel must fully restore humanitarian aid to Gaza, and negotiations must resume. In her meetings in Israel and the Palestinian territories, Kallas is expected to stress the importance of ensuring large-scale, uninterrupted humanitarian aid to Gaza.

On the 21st, the United Nations stated that Gaza was facing a "nightmare" following Israel’s resumption of military operations after a six-week ceasefire. Aid workers warned that the humanitarian crisis could worsen as ceasefire negotiations remained stalled and Israel had recently cut off aid and electricity to Gaza.

According to Hamas’ health ministry, over 49,500 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing conflict, with Gaza’s infrastructure and essential resources suffering unprecedented destruction.