Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip has eliminated at least four senior Hamas government officials, including Essam al-Dalis, the Gaza chief executive, who Israel had already declared dead in November 2023, Hamas' media office confirmed.
Among the dead are Ahmed al-Hatta, Deputy Minister of Justice; Mahmoud Abu Wafta, Deputy Minister of the Interior; and Bahjat Abu Sultan, Director General of Internal Security at the Ministry of the Interior.
Hamas reported a fifth death, Mohammed Al Jamasi, a member of Hamas's Political Bureau who held no position in the Gaza government.
The Hamas-controlled Gaza Interior Ministry explained in a separate statement that General Abu Wafta was 58 years old and was undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior and National Security, while General Abu Sultan was 56 years old and was director general of the Internal Security Service.
He added that both died in “an airstrike targeted them, along with several government officials”.
Netanyahu's office said in a statement that it had ordered “strong measures against the terrorist organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip” due to the group's refusal to release the 59 hostages still in its power.
Netanyahu halted any progress toward the second phase of the ceasefire agreement.