ALBAWABA - On Saturday, Israeli forces hit several places in the Gaza Strip, killing 23 Palestinians. Reports say that a high-ranking commander in Hamas's military wing was the target in Gaza City.
Israel's Channel 12 said that the army hit Alaa al-Hadidi, who was called a high-ranking official in Hamas's logistics and supply network. Army Radio, quoting security officials, said he was in charge of the al-Qassam Brigades' weapons division.
Israel said that Hamas broke the ceasefire agreement that had been in place since October by sending a fighter into an area under Israeli control to attack soldiers. The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israeli forces killed five high-ranking Hamas military leaders in response.
The Israeli army also said that during underground search operations in Rafah, they killed two armed fighters.
Medical sources in Gaza said that the most recent Israeli attacks hit many places in the Strip, including a civilian car and several homes. These attacks killed 23 people and hurt others. The Israeli state broadcaster said that the operation was planned with the U.S. Civil–Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat. '
Rising Violence Despite Ceasefire
Al Jazeera's reporter said that two Israeli airstrikes hit a house in the Nuseirat refugee camp and another hit near the Bilal bin Rabah Mosque in western Deir al-Balah. A medical source at al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital said that one person died and several others were hurt.
Hamas said that Israel's increased military activity in Gaza was a "blatant breach" of the ceasefire. The group asked mediators and the U.S. government to step in and stop Israel from "undermining the path toward calm."
