An Israeli airstrike killed Izz al-Din Al-Beik, identified by Israeli and Palestinian sources as the head of Hamas’s armed wing in northern Gaza, on Tuesday, September 29. The strike targeted an apartment building in Gaza City’s Nasr neighbourhood around dawn, according to medics and Hamas sources cited by Reuters.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military had targeted Al-Beik, alleging that he was involved in planning attacks and recruiting militants. Those allegations were presented by Israeli authorities and could not be independently verified.
The reported killing comes amid continued Israeli military operations in Gaza despite a ceasefire agreement. Recent reports have documented further Israeli strikes, with Palestinian health officials saying more than 1,400 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire took effect. Israel and Hamas have traded accusations over violations of the truce.
The latest strike follows the reported killing of Hamas finance official Mohammed Abu Alwan in Khan Younis on September 23. Israeli authorities described Alwan as a senior Hamas financial figure, while Palestinian officials reported additional deaths in the same period.
Israel has continued targeting Hamas commanders and operatives, saying such strikes are intended to prevent the group from rebuilding its military capabilities. Israeli military statements in recent days have also reported the deaths of Hamas commanders in northern, central and southern Gaza.
The death of Al-Beik adds another senior Hamas figure to the list of commanders killed during the conflict, while the continuing strikes underline the fragile nature of the Gaza ceasefire.
