Senior Hamas political leader Salah al-Bardaweel has been killed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, a Hamas official has announced. for the BBC on Sunday.
Bardaweel and his wife were reportedly killed in the attack.
Israeli officials have not commented.
The Israeli military resumed massive attacks on Gaza on Tuesday, blaming Hamas for refusing to extend the first phase of the ceasefire that came into effect on January 19.
Hamas denied Israel's accusations. It said Israel had violated the agreement that was brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the US.
The Gaza Health Ministry has announced that 32 Palestinians have lost their lives in the last 24 hours in Gaza.
also
Israel says new head of Hamas' military wing killed in airstrikes on Tuesday
In a statement, Hamas said Bardaweel was praying when an Israeli shell hit the tent they were in.
Bardaweel is one of nearly ten Hamas officials reported to have been killed since Israel resumed attacks on Gaza on Tuesday.
The Israeli army launched the operation to destroy Hamas in response to Hamas' unprecedented attack on Israeli territory on October 7, 2023, during which 1200 people were killed and 251 hostages were taken.
Over 49,500 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in Israel's offensive, according to figures from the Gaza Health Ministry, as the territory has been devastated.
