Gaza City: The Israeli army announced on Thursday that it had successfully assassinated a Hamas commander in Gaza City, as part of its ongoing military operations in the region. The army's statement reported that Haitham Razek Khalil was targeted and killed, along with other Hamas members, during a 'precise strike' in the city on Wednesday.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Israeli military identified Khalil as the commander of Hamas' Shujaiya Battalion, attributing to him a series of attacks against Israeli forces in Gaza. Despite the announcement, Hamas has not yet confirmed the death of Khalil or the Israeli claims about his role in the attacks.

The latest strike is part of a broader offensive by the Israeli army that has persisted since March 18, resulting in the deaths of over 1,500 individuals and injuries to more than 3,800 others. This offensive has disrupted a previously established ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that had been in place since January.

The ongoing violence has had a devastating impact on the Gaza Strip, with over 50,800 Palestinians killed since October 2023, the majority being women and children. The international community has responded with legal actions; the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity. Furthermore, Israel is currently facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice concerning its actions in the enclave.