Israel Launches Heavy Airstrikes on Gaza City, Targets Hamas Leaders
Israeli military forces initiated extensive airstrikes on Gaza City on Sunday night, resulting in the death of a senior Hamas official. This escalation marks a significant step in Israel’s strategy to take control of the city, with warnings directed at Hamas leaders abroad that there is no sanctuary for them. The airstrikes affected Sheikh Radwan, a prominent neighborhood in Gaza City believed to be a stronghold for Hamas.
Among the casualties was Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the strike on X, emphasizing that the military campaign would intensify and more Hamas leaders would face similar fates. Katz stated, “Soon, with the intensification of the campaign in Gaza, many more of his criminal partners — Hamas murderers and rapists — will join him.” Obeida was reportedly one of the few surviving senior figures in Hamas’ military wing, having played a key role in the group’s operations before the deadly attacks on October 7, 2023, which claimed over 1,200 lives in Israel.
The Israeli military accused Obeida of orchestrating “propaganda and psychological terror campaigns” against Israel, alleging that his office was behind distressing videos of hostages released by Hamas. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated, “Abu Obeida can no longer spread his lies, propaganda and terror.”
Israeli Strategy and Warnings to Hamas
In light of the ongoing conflict, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir asserted that all Hamas officials are legitimate targets, including those residing in countries such as Yemen, Lebanon, and Syria. “The bulk of Hamas’s ruling leadership that remains is abroad, and we will reach them, too,” Zamir said, as reported by the Times of Israel.
While Hamas has yet to confirm Obeida’s death, its health ministry reported that at least 78 individuals have been killed in this latest wave of airstrikes. This intensified military action coincides with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s meetings with his security cabinet to finalize plans for an impending invasion of Gaza City. Israel has called for the complete evacuation of the city, where hundreds of thousands of residents have sought refuge during the protracted conflict, which is approaching its 23rd month.
As fears mount, thousands of civilians are already fleeing Gaza City, apprehensive of being caught between advancing Israeli forces and Hamas militants. Local resident Rezik Salah, a father of two, described the situation: “They are crawling into the heart of the city where hundreds of thousands are sheltering, from the east, north, and south, while bombing those areas from the air and ground to scare people to leave.”
International Concerns Over Civilian Impact
The United Nations has raised alarms about the potential humanitarian crisis that a military takeover of Gaza City could trigger, warning of “catastrophic consequences” for civilians and the remaining hostages. The UK government echoed these sentiments, calling such an operation “a huge mistake.” The Red Cross has emphasized that a mass evacuation of Gaza City would create unsustainable pressures on already strained resources, including food, shelter, and medical supplies.
Despite these warnings, Netanyahu has defended the upcoming invasion, asserting it is essential for defeating Hamas and securing the release of hostages. Of the 251 individuals abducted during the October 7 assaults, only 20 are believed to still be alive. As the situation develops, the international community continues to monitor the escalating conflict, highlighting the urgent need for a resolution that prioritizes civilian safety and humanitarian considerations.
