Israeli air strike kills Hamas leader in Gaza

Israeli air strike kills head of Hamas in Gaza StripPosted Tue 29 Sep 2026 at 9:17pmTue 29 Sep 2026 at 9:17pmThe head of Hamas' armed wing in the northern Gaza Strip has been killed, officials say. (Amir Cohen via Reuters)In short: Palestinian and Israeli officials have confirmed the head of Hamas' armed wing in the northern Gaza Strip has been killed in an Israeli air-strike in Gaza.Health officials said a second person died from wounds sustained in the attack.The Israeli military says it has killed at least 20 Hamas figures this month, including some it identified as senior commanders involved in the October 7, 2023 attacks.An Israeli air strike has killed Izz al-Din Al-Beik, the head of Hamas' armed wing in the northern Gaza Strip, Israeli and Palestinian officials say.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the Israeli military targeted Al-Beik, who they accused of planning attacks and recruiting militants.Hamas issued a statement confirming Al-Beik's death. Medics said an apartment building in Gaza City's Nasr neighbourhood was hit at dawn.Another person died from wounds sustained in 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 or people who took part in the October 7, 2023 attacks or held Israeli hostages.Hamas has denied trying to carry out attacks or rebuilding its arsenal and accuses Israel of undermining the Gaza deal.A US-brokered ceasefire agreed last year called for the eventual reconstruction of the territory, but little progress has been made amid a failure to agree on terms for Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw its troops.At least 1,400 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect, according to the territory's health officials. 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, launched after Hamas-led fighters killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel in October 2023.Reuters