Israeli Strike Kills Senior Hamas Commander in Gaza as Violence Continues

An Israeli air strike has killed a senior Hamas commander in northern Gaza, according to officials from both Israel and Hamas, as military operations continue despite a ceasefire agreed to last year.

The strike targeted Izz al-Din Al-Beik, identified as the head of Hamas’s armed wing in northern Gaza. Hamas described him as one of the leaders involved in the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that triggered the war in the Palestinian territory.

Al-Beik was among three people killed in Israeli strikes on Tuesday. In a joint statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military had specifically targeted the Hamas commander, accusing him of planning attacks and recruiting militants.

Earlier in the day, medics reported that an Israeli strike hit an apartment building in Gaza City’s Nasr neighbourhood around dawn, killing at least one person. Health officials later said a second victim died from injuries sustained in the attack.

A separate Israeli air strike near a medical clinic in Jabalia refugee camp also killed one person, bringing the day’s reported death toll to at least three. The Israeli military said it had targeted a militant operating in the area.

Israel has increased its military operations in recent weeks, saying Hamas has continued to rearm and carry out attacks in violation of the ceasefire reached in October.

Meanwhile, Palestinians in Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza held funeral ceremonies on Tuesday for the remains of 41 people killed nearly three years ago during the conflict. The bodies were recently recovered from destroyed buildings and other debris.

Hundreds of relatives and residents gathered as the remains were placed in white shrouds draped with Palestinian flags before burial.

Among those attending was Areej Farajallah, whose husband was killed in an Israeli strike on October 31, 2023.

“There are mixed feelings between relief, sadness, and pain. But thank God, the fire in my heart has eased a little, because my husband now has a grave that my orphaned children and I can visit,” she said.

The latest developments underscore the ongoing humanitarian impact of the conflict, with families continuing to recover and bury loved ones years after some of the deadliest periods of fighting.