Hamas has confirmed the death of Salah al-Bardawil, a senior figure in its political bureau, following an Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza on Saturday. The 65-year-old leader was killed alongside his wife in a strike on a camp in al-Mawasi, near Khan Yunis, marking another major loss for the group.
Bardawil is the third high-ranking Hamas political leader to be killed in recent days, following the deaths of Yasser Harb and Essam al-Dalis, the head of Hamas’ governing body in Gaza, as Israeli airstrikes continue to target the group’s leadership.
The Israeli military took responsibility for the strike, stating that Bardawil played a key role in Hamas’ “strategic and military planning” and that his death “further degrades Hamas’ military and governmental capabilities.”
Born in the Khan Yunis refugee camp, Bardawil was an early member of Hamas, joining the movement when it was founded in 1987. Over the years, he served as a spokesman before being elected to the political bureau in 2021. Known for his strong opposition to security coordination between the Palestinian Authority and Israel, he openly supported armed resistance.
Hamas stated that Bardawil had been detained by Israel in 1993, enduring 70 days of interrogation, and was later arrested multiple times by Palestinian Authority security forces.
Since Israel resumed airstrikes last Tuesday, the death toll among Hamas leadership has continued to rise. In addition to Bardawil, Hamas has confirmed the deaths of Gaza’s Interior Ministry head Mahmud Abu Watfa and Bahjat Abu Sultan, the director general of Internal Security Services.
On Sunday, Hamas sources also reported the death of Mohammed Hassan al-Amur, a key bodyguard of Yahya Sinwar, the group’s most senior leader in Gaza. Al-Amur was killed in an overnight airstrike on his home in Khan Yunis.
As the conflict escalates, Israel has intensified its campaign against Hamas’ leadership, striking what it claims are military and strategic targets. However, the mounting toll on both militants and civilians has raised fears of a prolonged and devastating conflict in the region.