Israeli Strike Kills Hamas Official; Toll in Gaza Over 50K

An Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza killed a Hamas political leader, Salah al-Bardaweel, on Sunday, the militant group said, as Palestinian officials put the death toll from nearly 18 months of conflict at over 50,000.

- Reuters

After two months of relative calm in the war, Gazans have again been fleeing for their lives after Israel effectively abandoned a cease-fire, launching a new all-out air and ground campaign on Tuesday against Hamas.

Explosions echoed throughout the north, central and southern Gaza Strip early on Sunday, as Israeli planes hit several targets in what witnesses said was an escalation of the attacks that began earlier in the week. At least 30 Palestinians had been killed in Israeli strikes on Rafah and Khan Younis so far on Sunday, health authorities said. Those killed included three municipal employees, medics said.

Hamas said the airstrike on Khan Younis killed Bardaweel and his wife. Israeli officials had no immediate comment.