Israeli strike kills senior Hamas commander in northern Gaza

On the morning of September 29, 2026, an Israeli airstrike killed Izz al-Din al-Beik, a senior commander of Hamas' armed wing in the northern Gaza Strip. The operation was confirmed by both Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, and by Hamas itself. The strike targeted an apartment building in the Nasr neighborhood of Gaza City around dawn.

Israeli authorities stated that al-Beik was actively involved in planning attacks against Israeli forces and overseeing the recruitment of new militants. Hamas confirmed his death, with some reports noting he was among the leaders of the October 7, 2023, attacks. According to health officials, at least one other person died in the same strike. Additional casualties were reported in separate Israeli operations, including a fatality near a clinic in the Jabalia refugee camp.

This incident occurs amid heightened tensions, as Israel accuses Hamas of rearming and violating an October ceasefire agreement. The Israeli military reports having eliminated at least 20 Hamas figures this month. Hamas denies violating the agreement, claiming Israel is undermining the deal, which was brokered by the United States to facilitate the reconstruction of the territory.