An Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip has proven fatal for Ismail Barhoum, a senior member of Hamas’ Political Bureau.
The incident occurred on March 23 when Israel targeted the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. According to Israeli authorities, Barhoum was a “key Hamas terrorist” and had been involved in significant activities within the group.
Hamas has confirmed his death and announced that Barhoum was receiving treatment for injuries sustained in a previous airstrike.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Katz has praised Barhoum’s killing, calling him the new prime minister of Hamas in Gaza, following the assassination of his predecessor Issam Daalit.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the strike came after a prolonged intelligence gathering period, using precision munitions to minimize civilian casualties.
However, Palestinian sources reported that five people were killed, and many others were injured. Footage from the scene shows the bodies of victims and the injured being pulled from the rubble.
This strike is the fourth against senior members of Hamas’ Political Bureau since Israeli airstrikes resumed following the failure of a ceasefire. The day before, Salah al-Bardaëil, another senior Hamas official, was killed in a similar airstrike near Khan Younis.
Barhoum had been involved in Hamas’ financial activities and had been under European Union sanctions since last year.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has warned of the possibility of annexing parts of the Gaza Strip and has ordered the Israeli Defense Forces to seize more areas and evacuate Palestinian civilians. The escalation of the conflict has raised international concerns about further consequences in the region.
