Israeli Airstrikes Kill Hamas Leader, 18 Others; Houthis Launch Missile

Israeli airstrikes across the southern Gaza Strip overnight on Sunday killed at least 19 Palestinians, including a senior Hamas political leader, according to local officials.

In a separate development, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are aligned with Hamas, launched a missile toward Israel, setting off air raid sirens. The Israeli military intercepted the projectile, and no casualties or damage were reported.

Two hospitals in southern Gaza received the bodies of 17 victims from the overnight strikes, including women and children. The European Hospital confirmed that five children and their parents were killed in a strike in Khan Younis, while another attack in the same city took the lives of two girls and their parents. The Kuwaiti Hospital reported a woman and child among the dead in a separate assault.

Hamas announced that Salah Bardawil, a key member of its political bureau and Palestinian parliament, was among those killed in a strike near Khan Younis, along with his wife. Bardawil, a prominent figure in Hamas' political wing, had given numerous media interviews over the years. His name, however, was not included in the reported death tolls from the hospitals.

Israel's recent airstrikes followed the end of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, which had been in place since January. The ceasefire had temporarily halted 15 months of intense fighting that began after Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Despite the truce, the Houthis resumed attacks on Israel, framing their actions as solidarity with Palestinians, despite recent U.S. strikes targeting the Yemeni rebels.

The ceasefire, which began in January, brought a temporary reprieve from hostilities. During this period, 25 Israeli hostages were exchanged for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, and Israel withdrew to a buffer zone, allowing displaced residents to return to their homes. Humanitarian aid deliveries also increased.

Negotiations were expected to start in February to discuss the next phase of the truce, which would involve the release of 59 remaining Israeli hostages (35 of whom are believed to be dead) in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners and a longer-lasting ceasefire. However, talks stalled after Hamas rejected Israeli and U.S.-backed proposals that would have seen additional hostages released before discussing a permanent ceasefire.

Hamas militants killed approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 hostages during their October 7 attack. While most hostages have been released through ceasefire deals or other negotiations, Israeli forces have rescued eight hostages alive and recovered dozens of bodies.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israel’s ongoing military offensive has resulted in at least 49,747 Palestinian deaths, with women and children accounting for more than half of the casualties. However, the ministry's figures do not differentiate between combatants and civilians. Israel claims to have killed around 20,000 militants, although it has not provided evidence.

The offensive has devastated large parts of Gaza, displacing nearly 90% of the population at its peak. Earlier this month, Israel intensified its pressure on Hamas by sealing off Gaza, restricting access to vital supplies like food, fuel, and medicine.