An Israeli airstrike on a Gaza hospital Sunday killed five people, including a Hamas political leader, according to Palestinian medics and Hamas. Israel stated the strike was aimed at a key Hamas figure.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that the attack hit the surgery department at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. The Israeli military claimed it conducted the strike based on extensive intelligence and used precision munitions to minimize collateral damage.
Hamas confirmed that Ismail Barhoum, a member of its political office, was among the casualties. Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, identified Barhoum as the target, while the military described him only as “a key terrorist” in Hamas.
Hamas’ Al-Aqsa TV reported that Barhoum had been receiving treatment at the hospital for injuries sustained in an earlier attack. Israel has accused Hamas of operating from hospitals, schools, and shelters—claims that Hamas denies.
Footage circulating on social media showed a fire burning on the third floor of what appeared to be the hospital, though Reuters was unable to verify the video.
After two months of relative calm, Gazans are once again fleeing as Israel escalates its military offensive, effectively abandoning a ceasefire and launching fresh air and ground attacks against Hamas.
In a separate strike in Khan Younis, Hamas announced the death of another senior leader, Salah al-Bardaweel. The Israeli military confirmed it killed Bardaweel on Saturday. Both Bardaweel and Barhoum were members of Hamas’ 19-member political office, of whom 11 have reportedly been killed since the war began in late 2023.
Explosions rocked northern, central, and southern Gaza early Sunday as Israeli warplanes intensified their bombardments. Meanwhile, the Israeli military hinted at further escalation, stating that a division previously deployed in Lebanon against Hezbollah was now preparing for potential operations in Gaza. A video released by the military showed tanks being unloaded with a caption reading, “Preparations of the 36th Division for Operations in the Gaza Strip.”
At least 45 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes on Rafah and Khan Younis on Sunday, according to health officials. The total Palestinian death toll since the conflict began nearly 18 months ago has now exceeded 50,000, they said.
Israel maintains that it takes measures to minimize civilian casualties and has questioned the figures reported by Hamas-run health authorities. According to those officials, most of the deceased in Gaza have been civilians, though Israel claims about 20,000 of them were Hamas fighters. Hamas does not disclose its own casualty figures.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that the goal of the war is to dismantle Hamas as both a military and governing force. He said the renewed offensive also aims to pressure Hamas into releasing remaining hostages.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s support for Israel in a conversation with Netanyahu, according to a State Department spokesperson. They discussed Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, efforts to recover hostages, and U.S. strikes against Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen.
Israel launched its Gaza offensive following Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and resulted in over 250 hostages being taken, according to Israeli figures.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned the ongoing violence, stating, “Israel’s military offensive has caused an appalling loss of life. As long as this war continues, both sides lose.” She also urged Israel to respect civilian lives and rejected any moves to annex parts of Gaza.
Tel Al-Sultan Under Siege
Hamas has accused Israel of violating the January ceasefire agreement but expressed willingness to negotiate and said it is considering proposals from U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military issued an evacuation warning for residents of Tel Al-Sultan in western Rafah. Troops have encircled the area, stating they aim to dismantle “terror infrastructure sites and eliminate terrorists” while expanding their security zone in southern Gaza. The military claimed it was facilitating civilian evacuations along designated routes.
As a result, dozens of families fled Tel Al-Sultan, many on foot or using donkey carts and rickshaws to transport their belongings.
“When the ceasefire started, we returned, hoping to rebuild our homes,” said Abu Khaled, a Rafah resident. “Now we are fleeing under fire for maybe the tenth time. When will there ever be peace in this city?” he told Reuters via a messaging app.
The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service warned that 50,000 residents were trapped in Rafah due to an unexpected Israeli raid, putting their lives and those of rescue teams at risk.
Palestinian and international officials have also raised concerns about a worsening hunger crisis.
“Every day without food pushes Gaza closer to acute starvation. Blocking aid is collective punishment—most of the people affected are children, women, and ordinary civilians,” said UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini in a post on X.
On March 2, Israel halted goods from entering Gaza. Netanyahu’s foreign policy adviser, Ophir Falk, accused Hamas of diverting aid for its own use—an allegation Hamas has previously denied.
