Over 50,000 Killed in Israeli Brutal Attacks in Gaza Over 15 Months - Gaza Health Ministry
Cairo, March 23 - Salah al-Bardawil, a political leader of Hamas in Gaza, has been killed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern part of Gaza City, Hamas has confirmed. At the same time, Palestinian officials reported that the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 50,000.
Although there had been some peace during the past two months of the 18-month-long conflict, Israel resumed widespread air and ground assaults against Hamas on March 20, 2025, causing panic among Gaza's residents, who are fleeing in large numbers. Major explosions were heard in various northern, central, and southern areas of Gaza earlier this week as the attacks began.
At least 30 Palestinians, including three municipal employees, were killed in Rafah and Khan Yunis, according to health officials. Hamas confirmed that al-Bardawil and his wife were killed in an airstrike in Khan Yunis. Israeli officials have not commented on the matter.
Al-Bardawil had played a significant role for Hamas for many years. He was the head of Hamas' media office in 2005 and led illegal ceasefire talks with Israel in 2009.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the main goal of the war is to destroy Hamas as both a military and governing entity.
The new wave of Israeli attacks in Gaza has forced millions of people to flee their homes once again. The Israeli army has instructed residents in the Rafah area to immediately leave the region. The army has stated that it is surrounding the Tel al-Sultan area in southern Gaza and working to "destroy terrorist infrastructure."
Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees), said, "Every day Gaza is heading toward an even worse situation due to food shortages. Banning food aid is a form of collective punishment."
Meanwhile, Gaza's Health Ministry reported that 50,021 Palestinians have been killed and 113,274 injured, while Gaza's government media office stated that the death toll has surpassed 61,700, with thousands feared to be buried under rubble.
Additionally, in Israel's October 7 attacks, 1,139 people were killed and 200 were taken captive.
The situation continues to worsen as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens.
