Israeli airstrikes kill top Hamas leader Salah al-Bardaweel as ceasefire talks collapse, escalating the conflict. Netanyahu vows intensified military action.
An Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, Gaza, has killed Hamas political leader Salah al-Bardaweel, marking a major escalation in the conflict. The strike also claimed the life of his wife, according to The Times of Israel, citing pro-Hamas media reports.
The attack was part of a broader Israeli military campaign targeting Hamas strongholds across Gaza. The offensive follows the collapse of ceasefire negotiations, ending a fragile truce that had been in place since January 19.
Israel Justifies Renewed Military Action
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office defended the intensified strikes, pointing to Hamas’s refusal to release remaining hostages and its rejection of mediation efforts led by US envoy Steve Witkoff.
“Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength. The operational plan was presented by the IDF over the weekend and approved by the political leadership,” a statement from Netanyahu’s office declared.
The breakdown of truce talks played a key role in the escalation. Israel had pushed to extend the first phase of a three-stage agreement, while Hamas insisted on moving forward with the second phase, set to begin on March 2, which included additional hostage exchanges.
During the initial phase, Hamas released 33 Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, with an estimated 59 hostages still in Hamas captivity, Israel has intensified its military response, aiming to force the group’s surrender.
Hamas Leaders Targeted
In addition to Salah al-Bardaweel, Israeli airstrikes also killed other top Hamas officials, including Essam Addalees, head of Hamas’ de facto government, and internal security chief Mahmoud Abu Watfa.
Netanyahu has reiterated that Israel’s primary objective is the total dismantling of Hamas, with military operations set to escalate further in the coming days.