Israeli airstrike kills Hamas political leader Salah al-Bardawil in southern Gaza

A senior Hamas political figure, Salah al-Bardawil, was killed Sunday in an Israeli airstrike on western Khan Younis in southern Gaza, the Palestinian group announced, as the Israeli military continued its latest offensive in the enclave.

Hamas said al-Bardawil, a member of its political bureau and a Palestinian lawmaker, died along with his wife in what it called a “targeted strike” while they were praying in a tent shelter in the al-Mawasi area. Israeli officials have not commented on the strike.

In a post on Facebook, Taher Al-Nono, a media adviser to the Hamas leadership, mourned Bardawil’s death.

Renewed Israeli offensive escalates conflict in Gaza

Explosions were reported across northern, central, and southern Gaza early Sunday as Israel stepped up its six-day-old military campaign. Health authorities said at least 30 Palestinians were killed in Rafah and Khan Younis throughout the day, including three municipal workers.

The airstrike on Bardawil came as Israeli forces expanded operations, with military spokesperson Avichay Adraee issuing evacuation warnings for Tel Al-Sultan in western Rafah. He said the army was targeting “terrorist organizations” in the area.

Hamas condemned the attack as a “cowardly Zionist attack,” accusing Israel of “committing war crimes within a systematic campaign of massacres.” The group added, “His blood, that of his wife and martyrs, will remain fueling the battle of liberation and independence. The criminal enemy will not break our determination and will.”

Civilian toll rises amid air and ground campaign

The Israeli campaign, which resumed Tuesday after two months of relative calm, has led to a surge in civilian casualties. Palestinian medics said an Israeli airstrike on a house in Rafah wounded several people.

Health officials reported at least 400 people were killed on Tuesday alone, more than half of them women and children. Over 700 Palestinians have been killed and more than 1,000 injured since the renewed Israeli assault began.

The offensive followed the collapse of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that had been in place since January. Hamas accused Israel of breaching the deal by refusing to begin talks on troop withdrawal and a permanent end to hostilities.

Despite the renewed fighting, Hamas said it remained open to negotiations and was reviewing “bridging” proposals from U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff.

Targeted strikes on Hamas leadership continue

Bardawil is the latest senior Hamas figure to be killed since the offensive resumed. On Tuesday, Israeli strikes killed Essam Addalees, head of Hamas’ de facto government, and Mahmoud Abu Watfa, the group’s internal security chief, along with several other officials.

Hamas stated that Bardawil “was praying along with his wife when an Israeli missile struck their tent shelter in Khan Younis.” The group described the airstrike as an assassination.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the war aims to dismantle Hamas as a governing and military force and pressure the group into releasing remaining hostages.

Humanitarian access and international response

The intensification of Israeli military operations has triggered renewed international calls for a ceasefire. Britain, France, and Germany released a joint statement urging Israel to allow humanitarian aid access into Gaza.

Israel has blocked the entry of goods, while Netanyahu’s foreign policy adviser, Ophir Falk, accused Hamas of seizing aid for its own use — a claim the group has denied.

The International Criminal Court (ICJ) issued arrest warrants in November for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity. Separately, Israel is also facing a genocide case at the ICJ.