Israeli airstrike kills senior Hamas leader, military commanders, expands Gaza offensive

An Israeli airstrike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, killed Ismail Barhoum, a senior member of Hamas’s political bureau, as Israel escalated its offensive across the region.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the use of precision weaponry to target Barhoum, calling him a “key Hamas terrorist.” The Palestinian group confirmed his death, noting that Barhoum had been receiving treatment for injuries sustained in a previous strike, Caliber.Az reports citing Israeli media.

The attack is part of a broader Israeli strategy to target Hamas leadership. Earlier on March 23, another airstrike near Khan Younis killed Salah al-Bardawil, another senior member of Hamas’ political bureau. According to the IDF, Barhoum’s killing is the latest in a series of strikes aimed at Hamas leadership, following the deaths of at least three other members of the political bureau since Israel resumed airstrikes on Gaza.

Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, described Barhoum as “the new Hamas prime minister in Gaza,” replacing Issam Da’alis, who was eliminated in a prior strike. Katz also reiterated the importance of the offensive, stating, “We will continue striking until the 59 hostages still held by terrorists in Gaza are released.” Out of the 20 members of Hamas’s political bureau elected in 2021, 11 have been killed during the conflict.

The Israeli military confirmed that the strike was carried out following “an extensive intelligence-gathering process,” utilizing a "precision munition" to minimize civilian casualties. However, Palestinian health officials reported that at least five people were killed, and footage showed people retrieving bodies and rescuing the injured from the rubble. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said the strike hit the surgery department, where Barhoum had been receiving treatment after being critically wounded in a previous attack.

In addition to the political strikes, the IDF also announced the deaths of two senior Hamas military commanders, Ahmad Salman 'Awj Shimali and Jamil Omar Jamil Wadiya, who were responsible for major military operations and strategy within Hamas.

Following Barhoum’s killing, the IDF announced an expansion of its ground offensive, with thousands of troops preparing to join military operations in Gaza. The 36th Division, previously stationed on the Lebanon border, has been redeployed to Southern Command to support the operation. Israel has vowed to continue its pressure on Hamas until all hostages are freed.

By Vafa Guliyeva