On the Day of Palestinian "Catastrophe," Israel Airstrikes Gaza Claiming to Kill Hamas Military Leader

Xinhua News Agency Jerusalem/Gaza, May 15 (Reporter Pang Xinyi, Huang Zemin) May 15 marks the 78th "Day of Catastrophe" for the Palestinians. That evening, Israel conducted airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, resulting in at least 7 deaths and 50 injuries. Israeli officials stated that they killed Izaddin al-Hadad, a military leader of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).

Al-Hadad is a member of Hamas's military council, and Israeli authorities believe he is currently the commander of Hamas's military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz said in a joint statement that they ordered the Israel Defense Forces to carry out the attack on al-Hadad, claiming he is responsible for the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and that he also refused to implement the ceasefire agreement aimed at disarming Hamas and achieving the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip.

However, a report by the Jerusalem Post pointed out that this assassination by Israel seems to violate the ceasefire agreement for Gaza. Since the ceasefire took effect last October, Israel has occasionally conducted airstrikes on Gaza, justifying them by claiming that the targeted individuals pose a "threat" to the Israeli military.

Israel's public broadcasting corporation quoted a senior Israeli security official as saying that the airstrike was considered "successful." The military used drones and fighter jets to strike al-Hadad's location in Gaza City, while also targeting a vehicle attempting to leave the site.

According to a senior Israeli security official who disclosed information to the media, the Israeli political leadership approved the assassination of al-Hadad about 10 days ago, and since then, they had been monitoring his movements. The decision to act on the evening of the 15th was made because they were confident they could "eliminate" the target.

Sources from the Gaza Strip's medical department told Xinhua reporters that the Israeli military airstrikes hit an apartment and a car in Gaza City, resulting in at least 7 deaths and 50 injuries. The attacks caused severe explosions and fires. The identities of the victims are still unclear.

Hamas has not yet responded to the Israeli statement.

On May 14, 1948, Israel declared its establishment. The following day, the First Arab-Israeli War broke out, and nearly a million Palestinians became refugees. Since then, Palestinians have designated May 15 as the "Day of Catastrophe."