Hamas confirmed on Tuesday, March 18, that several of its top officials, including the head of its government in Gaza, Essam al-Dalis, were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes on Palestinian territory.
In a statement, Hamas described these individuals, along with their families, as “martyrs,” claiming they were directly targeted by Israeli aircraft.
The list of casualties also included Mahmud Abu Watfa, the head of Hamas’s interior ministry, and Bahjat Abu Sultan, the director-general of the internal security service. Dalis, a member of Hamas’s political bureau in Gaza, had been appointed to lead the Gaza administration in June 2021.
This strike follows earlier reports from November 2023, where Israel claimed to have bombed a Hamas structure with Dalis and other leaders inside. Two Hamas sources later confirmed that a strike in Gaza City led to the death of Abu Watfa.
Israel has vowed to continue its operations in Gaza, maintaining that it will not cease its military efforts until all hostages are returned. The recent strikes mark the most intense bombardment since the January ceasefire.
Source: Linda Ikeji Blog