Israel kills senior Hams commander in Gaza, officials say

An Israeli airstrike killed Izz al-Din Al-Beik, the head of Hamas' armed wing in the northern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, Israeli and Palestinian officials said.



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the Israeli military had targeted and killed Beik, who they said has been involved in planning attacks and recruiting militants.



Hamas issued a statement confirming Beik's killing in the Israeli strike that medics said hit an apartment building in Gaza City's Nasr neighbourhood around dawn. Another person died from their wounds after 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 rebuild its arsenal, and accuses Israel of undermining the Gaza deal.