Hamas commander among seven killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza

Israeli strikes across Gaza on Tuesday resulted in the deaths of at least seven people, including a Hamas commander named Izz al-Din al Beik, according to the Gaza civil defense agency. Al Beik was killed in an Israeli strike west of Gaza City, along with another individual. The Hamas military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, described al Beik as a member and commander of the Northern Brigade, stating that he had been a key figure in the operations room during the Oct 7, 2023 attack on Israel that initiated the Gaza war.

The Israeli military confirmed al Beik's role as commander of Hamas's northern Gaza brigade and alleged that he had directed Hamas operatives to launch attacks against Israeli troops and civilians. Additionally, the civil defense reported three fatalities and multiple injuries from two Israeli drone strikes in the Jabalia area, and one death from Israeli gunfire in Deir al-Balah.

Later that evening, another person was killed and others injured in an Israeli drone strike targeting a house in Gaza City. The Israeli military stated they would later provide further details about the other targets. The Gaza conflict, triggered by Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel, has resulted in over 74,000 deaths, according to Gaza's health ministry, with more than 1,400 Israeli forces killed since a ceasefire was announced last October.