Israeli strike kills Hamas armed wing leader in northern Gaza

Gaza City, Palestine. An Israeli airstrike killed Izz al-Din Al-Beik, the head of Hamas’ armed wing in the northern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, Israeli and Palestinian officials said. Health officials said a second person died from wounds sustained in the attack.

Strike in Gaza City

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military had targeted and killed Beik. They said he had been involved in planning attacks and recruiting militants.

Hamas confirmed Beik’s death. Medics said the strike hit an apartment building in Gaza City’s Nasr neighbourhood around dawn.

Ceasefire under strain

Israel says Hamas has been rearming and launching attacks in violation of an October ceasefire, and has stepped up strikes on the group in recent weeks. The Israeli military says it has killed at least 20 Hamas figures this month, including people it identified as senior commanders and others it said took part in the October 7, 2023 attacks or held Israeli hostages.

Hamas denies trying to carry out attacks or rebuild its arsenal and accuses Israel of undermining the Gaza deal.

The US-brokered ceasefire agreed last year calls for the territory’s eventual reconstruction. Little progress has been made, however, as negotiators have not agreed on terms for Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw its troops. Israeli airstrikes have continued.

Gaza health officials say at least 1,400 Palestinians have been killed in the territory since the ceasefire took effect. The Israeli military says four Israeli soldiers have been killed.

Palestinian authorities say more than 73,000 people have been killed in Israel’s assault on Gaza, which began after Hamas-led fighters killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel in October 2023.