Cairo, 29 September, 2026 (Kamran Raja): An Israeli airstrike killed Izz al-Din Al-Beik, head of Hamas’ armed wing in the northern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military targeted and killed Beik, alleging that he was involved in planning attacks and recruiting militants. Hamas confirmed Beik’s death in the strike, which medics said hit an apartment building in Gaza City’s Nasr neighbourhood around dawn. Health officials said another person later died from injuries sustained in the attack. Israel has intensified strikes on Hamas in recent weeks, with the Israeli military saying it has killed at least 20 Hamas figures this month. Hamas has denied allegations that it was carrying out attacks or rebuilding its arsenal and has accused Israel of undermining the Gaza ceasefire agreement. The US-brokered ceasefire agreed last year calls for the eventual reconstruction of Gaza, but progress has remained limited as negotiators have yet to agree on terms for Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw its troops. Israeli airstrikes have continued, while Gaza health officials say at least 1,400 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire took effect. Palestinian authorities say more than 73,000 people have been killed in Israel’s assault on Gaza since October 2023.