Hamas Says Political Leader Essam al-Dalis Killed In Israel Strikes; Hundreds Dead

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

GAZA CITY/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Hamas says that Israeli strikes have killed the head of its government in Gaza, where Hamas-controlled authorities claimed Israel’s actions killed more than 400 people.

The Palestinian group, designated as a terrorist organization by Israel and most of its allies, said Essam al-Dalis was on a list of officials killed in the aerial action by the Israeli forces.

“These leaders, along with their families, were martyred after being directly targeted by the Zionist occupation forces’ aircraft,” said the Hamas statement.

Hamas added that those killed also include its head of internal security, Bahjat Abu Sultan, and a senior Interior Ministry official, Mahmud Abu Watfa.

Al-Dalis’ death has been reported in previous airstrikes as well, noted observers.

Since 2021, he has served as the head of Hamas’ government committee for civil administration, a role in which he has also been referred to as the “government leader and prime minister.”

HAMAS ‘FEELING STRENGTH’

He was among the many reported killed Tuesday in strikes that Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu warned were “only the beginning,” adding that future negotiations with Hamas “will take place only under fire.”

The strikes, by far the largest since a truce took effect in January, underscored that “Hamas has already felt the strength of our arm in the past 24 hours. And I want to promise you – and them – this is only the beginning,” Netanyahu stressed.

Negotiations have stalled over how to proceed with a ceasefire whose first phase has expired, with Israel and Hamas disagreeing on whether to move to a new phase intended to bring the war to an end.

The Israeli premier said in an address that “from now on, negotiations will take place only under fire,” before adding: “Military pressure is essential for the release of additional hostages.”

Israel has vowed to keep fighting until the return of all hostages seized by Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization.

The war was sparked by Hamas when it entered Israel on October 2023, killing some 1,200 people and kidnapping hundreds.

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