Two Hamas Political Bureau Members Killed in Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza

The extremist group Hamas announced that two members of its political bureau were killed in separate Israeli airstrikes in southern Gaza. On Sunday, March 23, Hamas stated that Salah al-Bardawil, a senior member of the Hamas political bureau, and his wife were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis. A few hours later, the Israeli army confirmed the death of this Hamas official. In further developments in Gaza, Hamas-affiliated media announced on Sunday evening that Ismail Barhoum, another member of the political bureau, was killed in an Israeli attack. According to this report, the Israeli airstrike on Nasser Hospital, the largest medical center in southern Gaza, resulted in the death of this Hamas member. Israel claims that one of its military units, previously active in Lebanon, is now preparing for potential operations in Gaza. The Israeli army released a video of tanks being unloaded, stating: 'Preparation of the 36th Division for operations in the Gaza Strip.' Tensions in the region have escalated again; Israel has attacked locations in Gaza, southern Lebanon, and Syria. According to Reuters, explosions were heard in the north, center, and south of Gaza early Sunday morning. Witnesses reported that Israeli fighter jets bombed targets in these areas, and the airstrikes, which began earlier in the week, intensified. Al-Bardawil, a member of Hamas's decision-making political bureau, was previously in charge of Hamas's negotiating team for indirect ceasefire talks with Israel in 2009. The Gaza Health Ministry, controlled by Hamas, reported that at least 40 people were killed in airstrikes on Rafah and Khan Younis on Sunday. Rescuers stated that three municipal employees were among the victims. After about two months of relative calm and a ceasefire, the people of Gaza have once again been forced to flee, as Israel has effectively abandoned the ceasefire and launched a large-scale aerial and ground assault against Hamas since Tuesday. The Israeli Prime Minister has repeatedly stated that the main goal of the war is to destroy Hamas as a military and governing entity. He said on Tuesday that the purpose of the new attack is to force Hamas to release the remaining hostages. Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he spoke with Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, on Sunday, and Rubio expressed his support for Israel's actions in Gaza. Israel began its attack on Gaza after Hamas forces attacked southern Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli statistics. Palestinian officials say the number of casualties in the 18-month war in Gaza has exceeded 50,000.