In a deadly escalation of the conflict, an Israeli airstrike hit the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, killing five people, including a senior Hamas leader, Ismail Barhoum, according to Palestinian medical officials and Hamas representatives. Israel has defended the attack, stating that it targeted a key Hamas figure while using precise munitions to minimize civilian casualties.
Airstrike Hits Hospital, Sparks Outrage
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that the strike directly impacted the hospital’s surgery department, leading to widespread destruction and casualties. Social media footage showed flames engulfing part of the hospital, though these reports remain unverified by independent sources.
Hamas confirmed the death of Ismail Barhoum, a member of its political office. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant later acknowledged that Barhoum was indeed the target, but the military did not initially name him, only referring to him as a “key terrorist.”
Another Hamas Leader Killed as Israel Expands Military Operations
Hours earlier, Hamas also reported the death of Salah al-Bardaweel, another senior leader, in a separate Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis. Israeli forces confirmed their role in Bardaweel’s killing and stated that their military operations are intensifying.
Both Barhoum and Bardaweel were part of Hamas’s 19-member political leadership council, of which 11 have been killed since the war began in late 2023, according to Hamas sources.
War Resumes After Ceasefire Collapse
After two months of relative calm, the war reignited on Tuesday when Israel launched a full-scale ground and air campaign against Hamas. Residents of Gaza are once again fleeing for their lives, with explosions reported across the north, center, and south of the enclave.
As fighting escalates, Israel has also mobilized its 36th Division, previously active in Lebanon, to prepare for further operations in Gaza. The military released footage showing tanks being transported to the front lines, signaling a possible ground invasion.
Rising Death Toll and Humanitarian Crisis
Palestinian officials say that at least 45 people were killed in Israeli strikes on Rafah and Khan Younis on Sunday alone. The total death toll from the war has now surpassed 50,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, though Israel disputes these figures.
While most of the casualties are believed to be civilians, Israel claims that 20,000 of the dead were Hamas fighters. Hamas has not disclosed its own losses.
International Response and Calls for Peace
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reaffirming U.S. support for Israel while also emphasizing the need to minimize civilian casualties. The European Union has condemned the violence, with its foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warning that the war must end before the suffering worsens.
Meanwhile, Hamas has accused Israel of breaking the terms of a January ceasefire agreement. Despite this, Hamas claims it is still open to negotiations and is reviewing peace proposals from U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Civilians Caught in the Crossfire
As Israeli troops continue operations, they have ordered mass evacuations in Tel Al-Sultan, a densely populated neighborhood in Rafah. The military claims this move is meant to “eliminate terrorists” and dismantle Hamas’s infrastructure, but tens of thousands of civilians have been forced to flee once again.
“We keep running from one place to another,” said Abu Khaled, a displaced resident of Rafah. “When will we ever rest? When will there be peace?”
The United Nations has warned that Gaza is on the brink of a major humanitarian disaster, with 50,000 residents trapped in Rafah, facing food shortages and blocked aid supplies.
With both sides refusing to back down, the war shows no sign of ending soon, leaving civilians in Gaza in an increasingly dire situation.
