Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis have resulted in the death of top Hamas political leader Salah al-Bardaweel and his wife, sparking outrage from Hamas officials who label the strike an assassination. This incident is part of a larger military offensive that has seen over 50,000 Palestinians killed since the onset of renewed violence following the collapse of a ceasefire deal last week.

According to reports, the renewed Israeli military campaign started with intense airstrikes and ground operations aimed at dismantling Hamas's military capabilities. The Gaza health ministry stated that the death toll had risen to a staggering 50,021 since the conflict began in October 2023 after a devastating Hamas attack on Israel that killed approximately 1,200 people and took 251 hostages.

Hamas's spokesperson, Taher Al-Nono, expressed sorrow over al-Bardaweel's death, proclaiming that "his blood and that of his wife will fuel the struggle for liberation." This statement reflects the ongoing cycle of violence as both sides accuse each other of violating existing ceasefire agreements.

Israeli officials have not commented on the specific attack but maintain their operations target what they describe as “terrorist infrastructure.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated the intent to eradicate Hamas's military capabilities, stating that future assaults would escalate if the militant group failed to release the remaining hostages.

With the Gaza Strip under severe humanitarian strain, calls for a ceasefire have intensified from various nations, including Britain, France, and Germany, which criticize the latest Israeli offensives as detrimental to any prospects for peace. As hundreds of thousands of Gazans are displaced, some civilians have described the situation as "displacement under fire," marking a tragic escalation in the ongoing conflict.

Recent reports indicate that Israeli military operations have expanded beyond Gaza, including retaliatory strikes in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah, further complicating the already volatile situation in the region.

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