At least 19 killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza, including senior Hamas leader

Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip have resulted in the deaths of at least 19 Palestinians overnight into Sunday, including a senior Hamas political leader, as well as several women and children. The Israeli military has instructed people to evacuate from part of the city of Rafah on the border with Egypt, specifically the Tel Sultan area where they will soon operate.

The military has issued a statement warning residents to evacuate on foot along a single route to the Mawasi area, emphasizing the potential danger of remaining in the Tel al-Sultan area. It remains unclear if the evacuation order indicates that Israeli forces will renew ground operations in the region.

Among the casualties of the airstrikes is Salah Bardawil, a prominent member of Hamas’ political bureau, who was killed in a strike in Mawasi along with his wife. Bardawil, who was also a member of the Palestinian parliament, was well-known for his involvement in Hamas’ political activities and engagement with the media over the years.

The strikes have resulted in the deaths of several women and children, with hospitals in southern Gaza receiving the bodies of 17 individuals killed in the attacks. The European Hospital reported the deaths of five children and their parents in Khan Younis, as well as another family of two girls and their parents in a separate strike. The Kuwaiti Hospital confirmed the deaths of a woman and child in another strike.

The Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service has reported challenges in responding to the strikes in Rafah, as Israeli forces have reportedly blocked ambulances from accessing the affected areas, leading to injuries among their medics.

The recent escalation in violence comes after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ended last week, prompting a series of airstrikes by Israel that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians. The ceasefire, which began in January following a 15-month war sparked by Hamas’ attack on Israel in October 2023, aimed to facilitate negotiations on the release of hostages and a lasting ceasefire.

However, negotiations on the next phase of the truce, including the release of remaining hostages, additional prisoner exchanges, and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, never materialized. Israel withdrew from the ceasefire deal after Hamas rejected proposals to release more hostages ahead of talks on a lasting truce.

In the midst of the conflict, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, allies of Hamas, launched a missile at Israel, which was intercepted by the Israeli military with no reported casualties or damage.

The ongoing violence in Gaza has resulted in a significant loss of life and heightened tensions in the region. The situation remains fluid, with the international community closely monitoring developments and calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

(Note: The content has been rewritten based on the original article about Israeli strikes in the southern Gaza Strip, with a focus on the key points and details provided in the source material.)