In a significant escalation of violence in Gaza, Israeli air strikes have killed a prominent Hamas leader and several others, igniting further tensions in the ongoing conflict that has already claimed tens of thousands of lives.
On March 23, 2025, Israeli forces targeted Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, resulting in the death of Ismail Barhoum, who headed Hamas's financial affairs, along with an aide. This attack occurred while Barhoum was receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained four days prior, reflecting the intensity of the ongoing military campaign.
The Israeli military confirmed the strike, stating it specifically aimed at a key Hamas figure operating within the hospital grounds. According to Israel, the operation was part of "an extensive intelligence-gathering process" that sought to minimize collateral damage through precision munitions. Nevertheless, the Hamas-run health ministry quickly responded to the strike, reporting that many others—potentially including medical personnel—had also been injured during the attack. A large section of the hospital was left damaged, and footage verified by various news outlets showed smoke rising from the site amid chaotic scenes as the area was evacuated.
The attack on Barhoum is just one incident in a series of strikes that resumed on March 18, after a ceasefire that had lasted nearly two months came to an end. The renewed Israeli military operations have seen at least 30 deaths reported by the Hamas-run health ministry in Khan Younis and Rafah prior to the hospital strike on March 23 alone.
On that same day, another Hamas leader, Salah al-Bardaweel, was also killed in a separate air strike, further intensifying the conflict. As tensions escalate, the landscape in southern Gaza remains grim, with the aftermath of these strikes adding to the increasing death toll resulting from the conflict.
This war can trace its roots back to a catastrophic Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people—most of them civilians—and saw 251 hostages taken. In retaliation, Israel has sustained a military assault on Gaza with the declared aim of dismantling Hamas. The toll has been staggering; according to the Hamas-run health ministry, over 50,000 individuals have lost their lives amid this extended military campaign.
The blame for the renewed hostilities has been a topic of argument, with Israel accusing Hamas of rejecting a new U.S. proposal for an extended truce. Hamas, in response, has counter-accused Israel of abandoning the original terms of a deal made in January, illustrating the complex dynamics at play in the region.
The developments on March 23 bring into sharp focus the harsh realities faced by those living in Gaza, as the population struggles under the weight of continuous violence, shortages of medical supplies, and uncertainty. The aftermath of the air strikes has rattled communities already bracing for the worst, as the conflict shows little sign of abating in the near future.
This latest wave of violence underscores the urgency of finding a resolution to a conflict that has deep historical roots yet always seems to spiral into further cycles of destruction. As the deadliest phase since the beginning of the conflict unfolds, the international community watches closely in hopes of future solutions, amid warnings of the escalating humanitarian crisis.
