An Israeli airstrike killed Izz al-Din Al-Beik, the head of Hamas’ armed wing in the northern Gaza Strip, on September 29, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials. The strike targeted an apartment building in the Nasr neighbourhood of Gaza City around dawn, also resulting in the death of another individual who succumbed to wounds sustained in the attack, health officials said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed that the military had specifically targeted Al-Beik, whom they described as involved in planning attacks and recruiting militants. The Israeli military stated that it has intensified operations against Hamas in recent weeks, citing violations of a ceasefire brokered last year by the United States. Since early September, Israel reports having killed at least 20 Hamas figures, including senior commanders and individuals it accuses of participating in the October 7, 2023 attacks or holding Israeli hostages.
Hamas acknowledged the death of Al-Beik in the airstrike but denied allegations of attempting to carry out attacks or rebuilding its arsenal. The group accused Israel of undermining the ceasefire agreement. The US-brokered ceasefire, agreed upon in 2025, envisioned the eventual reconstruction of Gaza; however, progress has stalled amid failed negotiations over terms requiring Hamas to disarm and the withdrawal of Israeli troops.
Since the ceasefire took effect, Palestinian health authorities report that at least 1,400 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, while the Israeli military reports the deaths of four Israeli soldiers. Palestinian officials further assert that more than 73,000 people have died in the Israeli military’s broader campaign in Gaza, which was launched in response to the October 2023 attacks carried out by Hamas-led fighters that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis.
Israeli officials maintain that ongoing airstrikes are necessary to respond to continued threats posed by Hamas, while Palestinian authorities and Hamas emphasize the humanitarian toll and call for a reinvigoration of peace efforts to resolve the longstanding conflict.