Four killed in Gaza in strikes, Israel says it killed a Hamas finance chief

On Wednesday, Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip resulted in the death of at least four Palestinians, according to local health officials. The Israeli government claimed that one of the attacks specifically targeted a Hamas finance chief. Two of the deceased were identified as Osama Abu Khater and Mohammad Abu Elwan, who were killed when an Israeli airstrike struck a vehicle in western Khan Younis, in the southern region of the enclave.

The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Defence Minister, Israel Katz, in a joint statement, referred to Mohammad Abu Elwan as a senior Hamas finance official. "We will not allow Hamas to rebuild its strength and we will not stop until Hamas no longer exists in Gaza," the joint statement declared. Hamas has yet to comment on the matter.

Later that day, Palestinian health officials reported that two more individuals had been killed in two separate Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City and Deir Al-Balah, located in the central Gaza Strip. This brought the death toll for the day to at least four Palestinians. The Israeli military has not yet commented on these additional strikes.

According to Palestinian authorities, over 73,000 people have been killed in Israel's assault on Gaza. The US-brokered ceasefire, which was agreed upon last year, calls for the eventual reconstruction of the territory. However, little progress has been made as negotiators have been unable to agree on terms for Hamas to disarm and for Israel to withdraw its troops.

Israeli airstrikes have continued, resulting in at least 1,400 Palestinians, primarily civilians, being killed since the ceasefire took effect, as stated by the territory's health officials. The Israeli military reports that four Israeli soldiers have been killed in the conflict. Both Israel and Hamas hold responsibility for violations of the ceasefire agreement.