An Israeli airstrike killed Izz al-Din Al-Beik, the head of Hamas’ armed wing in northern Gaza, on Tuesday, Israeli and Palestinian officials said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military targeted and killed Beik, whom they accused of helping to plan attacks and recruit militants.
Hamas confirmed Beik’s death, saying he was killed in the Israeli strike, which medics said hit an apartment building in Gaza City’s Nasr neighbourhood around dawn.
Health officials said another person died from wounds sustained in the attack.
Israel says Hamas has been rearming and carrying out attacks in violation of an October ceasefire, and has intensified strikes against the group in recent weeks.
The Israeli military said it had killed at least 20 Hamas members this month, including people it identified as senior commanders and others linked to the October 7, 2023 attacks or the holding of Israeli hostages.
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Hamas has denied attempting to launch attacks or rebuild its arsenal, accusing Israel of undermining the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
The US-brokered ceasefire agreed last year envisages the eventual reconstruction of Gaza, but negotiations have made little progress amid disagreements over Hamas’ disarmament and an Israeli military withdrawal.
Israeli airstrikes have continued despite the ceasefire.
Gaza health officials say at least 1,400 Palestinians have been killed in the territory since the ceasefire took effect, while the Israeli military says four of its soldiers have been killed.
Palestinian authorities say more than 73,000 people have been killed in Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which began after Hamas-led fighters killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel in October 2023.
