Israeli Airstrikes Kill 26 in Gaza, Including Senior Hamas Leader and Civilians, as Military Escalates Operations

Israeli airstrikes on the southern Gaza Strip killed at least 26 Palestinians, including a senior Hamas official, Salah Bardawil, and several women and children. The Israeli military advanced into Rafah, ordering an evacuation of the heavily damaged Tel al-Sultan neighborhood. Many residents were forced to flee on foot, carrying their belongings to safer areas amidst ongoing violence. Hospitals reported a high number of casualties, and emergency services were hindered by Israeli forces. In a separate development, Yemen’s Houthi rebels, allied with Hamas, launched a missile at Israel, but it was intercepted without casualties.

The ceasefire, which had been in place since January, has now ended, escalating tensions. Protests in Israel continue, calling for the return of hostages taken during Hamas’ October 2023 attack. The death toll for Palestinians has surpassed 49,000, with women and children making up a significant portion of the casualties.

Israeli Airstrikes Kill 26 in Gaza, Including Senior Hamas Leader and Civilians, as Military Escalates Operations

Recent Israeli airstrikes in southern Gaza have left at least 26 Palestinians dead, including women, children, and a high-ranking Hamas official. The attacks came as Israeli forces moved deeper into the city of Rafah, ordering residents of the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood to evacuate immediately. Families were seen fleeing on foot, clutching their belongings, as explosions and gunfire echoed nearby. Many, however, could not escape due to blocked roads or fears of being caught in the crossfire, leaving them trapped in the violence.

Among those killed was Salah Bardawil, a senior Hamas leader, along with his wife. Local hospitals reported receiving dozens of wounded, including entire families with young children. Medical teams struggled to treat the injured, as Israeli restrictions on movement and attacks near healthcare facilities made it nearly impossible for ambulances to reach victims. “We’re overwhelmed—there’s no electricity, no supplies, and bombs are falling everywhere,” said a nurse at a Rafah hospital.

Meanwhile, tensions escalated further when Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who support Hamas, fired a missile toward Israel. The missile was intercepted by Israeli defenses, causing no damage or casualties. The Houthis claimed the attack was a show of solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict.

This violence shattered a fragile ceasefire that had held since January, reigniting fears of a broader war. In Israel, protests erupted as families of hostages taken by Hamas during the group’s October 2023 attack demanded their loved ones’ return. Demonstrators blocked roads and chanted outside government buildings, accusing leaders of abandoning the captives. “Bring them home now!” shouted one protester, holding a photo of her missing brother.

The conflict has now claimed over 49,000 Palestinian lives, according to local health officials, with civilians—including thousands of women and children—making up most of the casualties. Entire neighborhoods in Gaza lie in ruins, and shortages of food, water, and medicine have pushed the population to the brink of famine. International aid groups warn that Israel’s latest advance into Rafah, where over a million displaced people had sought shelter, could worsen the humanitarian crisis.

As the fighting continues, stories of loss and survival emerge. A mother in Rafah described carrying her injured son for miles to reach a clinic, only to find it closed. “No one can help us,” she said, tears streaming down her face. Others shared how they’ve buried loved ones in makeshift graves or slept in tents amid rubble. “We’ve lost everything—our homes, our families, our hope,” said an elderly man sitting outside a bombed-out building.

The international community has called for restraint, but efforts to negotiate a new ceasefire have stalled. For now, the sounds of war drown out appeals for peace, leaving civilians on both sides to endure the devastating consequences.