Hamas spokesman, 6 members of a Gazan family killed in Israeli strikes

A family of six and a Hamas spokesman were killed in separate Israeli strikes in the northern Gaza Strip overnight and into Thursday, according to the territory's Health Ministry and another Hamas official.

A strike hit the tent where Hamas spokesman Abdel-Latif Al Qanoua was staying in the Jabaliya area of northern Gaza, killing him, according to Basem Naim, another Hamas official.

Another strike near Gaza City killed four children and their parents, according to the emergency service of Gaza's Health Ministry.

Later on Thursday, the Israeli military confirmed in a statement that it killed Qanoua, saying that "he served as one of Hamas' key inciters."

Earlier this week, Israel killed Ismail Barhoum, a member of Hamas' political office, and Salah Al Bardaweel, another senior leader.

The mother (C-L) and father (C-R) of young victim Ibtissam Elyan grieve for their daughter. AFP

Both Bardaweel and Barhoum were members of the 20-member Hamas decision-making body, the political office, 11 of whom have been killed since the start of the war in late 2023, according to Hamas sources.

Last week, Israel ended a two-month-old ceasefire by resuming bombing and ground operations, increasing pressure on Hamas to free the remaining hostages in its captivity.

At least 855 people, over half of them children and women, have been killed since Israel resumed major military strikes in Gaza on March 18, according to Gaza's health ministry.

Palestinian health authorities said that at least 30 people have been killed by Israeli strikes across Gaza on Thursday.

Israel's war in Gaza has killed over 50,000 people, according to the territory's Health Ministry.

The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count but says women and children make up over half the dead.

Agencies