Gaza death toll passes 50,000 as Israeli airstrike kills Hamas political leader

At least 30 Palestinians had been killed in Israeli strikes on Rafah and Khan Younis so far on Sunday

Surrounded by smoke from a nearby Israeli army strike, Palestinians walk past tents in central Gaza City on Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

An Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza killed a Hamas political leader, Salah al-Bardaweel, on Sunday, the militant group said, as Palestinian officials put the death toll from nearly 18 months of conflict at over 50,000.

After two months of relative calm in the war, Gazans have again been fleeing for their lives after Israel effectively abandoned a ceasefire, launching a new all-out air and ground campaign on Tuesday against Hamas.