A spokesperson for Hamas, Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua, was killed in an Israeli airstrike early Thursday morning. The attack took place in northern Gaza, where Israeli fighter jets targeted his tent shelter in the city of Jabalia. According to local news outlets, the strike also injured several others, including children. The attack is part of Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which resumed after the collapse of a fragile ceasefire on March 18.
Continued Bombing Campaign Across Gaza
Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Gaza, Hind Khoudary, reported that the strike on al-Qanoua’s shelter was just one of several carried out by Israeli forces across the Strip. Among the attacks was a bombing on a home in Gaza City’s as-Saftawi area that killed six members of the same family. These airstrikes mark a significant escalation in Israel’s efforts to put pressure on Hamas after the ceasefire came to an abrupt end.
Rising Casualties and Losses
Since Israel resumed its assault, the death toll in Gaza has risen sharply. The Israeli military has now killed at least 50,183 Palestinians and wounded more than 113,000 since the start of the operation. The recent escalation has contributed to the ongoing humanitarian crisis, with at least 830 people killed in the past 10 days alone. Among the casualties, women and children represent more than half of the victims, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health.
Hamas Leadership Targeted
In addition to al-Qanoua, several senior Hamas officials have been killed in the past week. On Sunday, an Israeli airstrike on the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis killed five individuals, including Ismail Barhoum, a key Hamas official. Later that day, another Israeli airstrike killed Salah al-Bardaweel, a prominent Hamas political leader, along with his wife. The deaths of these leaders have further destabilized the organization, which has already lost significant figures in the conflict.
Ongoing Ceasefire Talks Stalemated
Despite months of ceasefire negotiations, including efforts by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, the conflict shows no signs of abating. The first stage of the ceasefire agreement expired on March 1, and subsequent attempts to extend it have failed. Hamas has accused Israel of sabotaging these discussions, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened further military action, including the seizure of territory in Gaza, unless Hamas releases the remaining captives taken during the October 7 attack on Israel.
Displacement Crisis Worsens
The United Nations has reported that over 142,000 Palestinians have been displaced since Israel resumed its military campaign on March 18. The ongoing violence and restrictions on aid entering Gaza have exacerbated the dire humanitarian situation in the region. With negotiations at an impasse, the future of both the ceasefire talks and the wider conflict remains uncertain.
