Ceasefire shatters: Gaza continues to burn as Israel says Hamas operative killed

Gaza: The Israel Defense Forces has said it killed a senior Hamas intelligence official in an airstrike in Gaza, while also carrying out strikes on Hezbollah-linked targets in southern Lebanon. The developments come amid ongoing tensions and continued reports of casualties despite a ceasefire framework.

The Israel Defense Forces, along with the Shin Bet security agency, stated that Iyad Ahmed Abd al-Rahman Shambari, identified as a key figure in Hamas’s military intelligence wing, was killed in an airstrike in northern Gaza Strip.

According to Israeli officials, Shambari headed operations within Hamas intelligence and was involved in gathering information on Israeli forces and planning attacks across the territory. He was also linked to preparations related to the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

Targeting Hamas infrastructure and leadership

The Israeli military said the strike was part of broader operations aimed at weakening Hamas’s operational capabilities. It added that the attack was carried out based on intelligence inputs and targeted what it described as an “immediate threat” to its forces.

Officials said Shambari had played a central role in compiling intelligence assessments used in planning military actions.

Strikes extend to southern Lebanon

In a separate development, the Israel Defense Forces said it carried out strikes in southern Lebanon, targeting positions linked to Hezbollah.

The military reported that three Hezbollah operatives were killed and that several sites were hit, including weapons storage facilities, rocket launch points, and buildings used for coordinating operations.

Local authorities in Gaza reported additional casualties from ongoing strikes. Gaza’s civil defence agency said at least four people were killed and several others injured in a drone strike in Gaza City’s al-Rimal neighbourhood.

Health authorities in Gaza have reported that more than 800 people have been killed since a ceasefire came into effect, though these figures could not be independently verified.

Ceasefire under strain

Despite a ceasefire agreement announced earlier, violence has continued across the region. Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of repeated violations, with airstrikes and cross-border tensions persisting.

The situation remains volatile, with no clear indication of de-escalation in the near term.

The continued conflict has intensified humanitarian concerns in Gaza Strip, where civilians face ongoing risks from airstrikes, displacement, and limited access to essential services.

Aid organisations have repeatedly warned of worsening living conditions, as infrastructure damage and restricted access to basic necessities continue to affect daily life.