Israel has pushed tanks further into
Gaza City and detonated vehicles
carrying explosives in one suburb.
That's according to witnesses there. At
least 98 people have been killed in
Israel's continued bombardment of Gaza
in the past 24 hours, according to
health officials in the territory.
Israel says the spokesperson for Hamas's
armed wing, Abu Aa, has been killed in
an air strike in a block of flats in
Gaza City. He was among one of the few
remaining senior members of Hamas's
military wing from before its deadly 7th
of October attack in 2023 on southern
Israel. Hamas has not confirmed his
death. Our Middle East correspondent
Yoland Nell is following developments
from Jerusalem and explained what the
reported death of this senior military
figure means for Hamas.
>> This will be another significant blow to
the organization. Abu Aubeda, his nomde
was a longtime target um of the Israeli
militaries and the longtime spokesman of
the al-Qasam brigades. Um he had
appeared often um with his face wrapped
by a red checkered scarf in broadcasts
that were carried widely around this
region in previous wars and during this
wars as well. Israel says that he was
the one responsible for putting out
those propaganda videos showing the
Hamasled 7th of October attacks on
Israel and the very disturbing uh videos
of hostages uh that have been put out
since. Now there was this strike uh on
the Ramal neighborhood of western Gaza
city on Saturday. Um it was a very
dramatic attack and immediately clear um
that this was um a highly desired target
that the Israelis were going after.
Local journalists say that at least
seven people were killed and 20 injured
uh with children among the casualties.
And there have been some strong comments
from the Israeli military um who say
that they will continue to pursue um
other Hamas leaders including those
abroad. Now, it's been a really a deadly
few days with um the Hamasan Health
Ministry saying uh yesterday that in the
previous 24 hours at least 88 people
were killed. We've had reports that as
many as 90 people were killed through
the day yesterday, about a third of
those uh aid seekers in Gaza. And since
the morning uh there have been more
Israeli strikes, particularly centered
on Gaza city with the shifa hospitals
there saying that at least 11 people
have been killed.
Well, thanks to Yoland for that update.