An Israeli airstrike killed Izz al-Din Al-Beik, the head of Hamas’ armed wing in the northern Gaza Strip, yesterday, Israeli and Palestinian officials said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the Israeli military had targeted and killed Beik, who they said has been involved in planning attacks and recruiting fighters.
Hamas issued a statement confirming Beik’s killing in the Israeli strike that medics said hit an apartment building in Gaza City’s Nasr neighbourhood around dawn. Another person died from their wounds after the attack, health officials said.
Israel, which says Hamas has been rearming and launching attacks in violation of an October ceasefire, 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 some it identified as senior commanders.