Israel is looking into the possibility that Hamas' second in command, Marwan Issa, may be among five people killed in a weekend airstrike on Gaza, according to a report, as officials work to broker a ceasefire during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Israel bombed the Al-Nusseirat camp in central Gaza on Saturday night, according to Israeli Army Radio, where intelligence showed the location of Issa, second-in-command of Hamas's military wing, the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, Reuters reported.
The attack killed five people, and Israel is checking if the fatalities include Issa, according to Israeli newspaper Hareetz.
Hamas' Marwan Issa, Mohammed Deif, and Yahya Sinwar are key figures on Israel's most-wanted list, as they are considered instrumental in planning the attack on Oct. 7, which sparked the war and claimed 1200 Israeli lives. Israel's subsequent bombardment of Gaza and military operations have obliterated infrasrtucture in the war-torn strip, and led to over 31,000 deaths.
If Issa's death is confirmed, Israel would have succeeded in eliminating the most senior Hamas figure in the five months since the war began. A confirmation of Issa's death could also complicate efforts to secure a ceasefire and see the release of the hundreds of hostages taken by Hamas during their Oct. 7 surprise attack. However, Israel says talks are ongoing with Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
In a Sunday statement providing an overview of the last 24 hours of operations, Israel confirmed its forces had targeted and killed militants in central Gaza but did not refer to the specific camp.
Israel's intelligence agency Mossad said both sides seek to narrow gaps and reach agreements.
Mediating countries had wanted to reach agreements for a ceasefire in time for Ramadan, which began on Monday.
But in the early hours, an Israeli air strike on a house in Gaza City killed 16 people and wounded several others, reported Palestinian health officials.
Early in the morning in Zeitoun, an ancient part of Gaza City, a strike hit the Abu Shammala family's home, causing casualties among those inside, according to medics.
In the central Gaza region, the Israeli military confirmed the deaths of around 15 militants in a joint operation involving close combat and air strikes. Commandos focused their operations in Khan Younis, targeting sites allegedly used by Hamas militants.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing heightened global scrutiny to prioritize the protection of civilians and alleviate suffering.
In his State of the Union address last week, US President Joe Biden revealed the US would build a temporary seaport off the Gazan coast to facilitate aid deliveries.
Senior Hamas official Basem Naim said the water corridor was positive but urged the United States to put an end to the war.
"Ensuring all the needs of the population in the Gaza Strip are met is not a favor from anyone. It is a guaranteed right under international humanitarian law even during times of war," Naim told Reuters.
