The Israeli military announced on Friday that it had killed Osama Tabash, the head of Hamas' military intelligence in southern Gaza. According to a statement, Tabash also led the militant group's surveillance and targeting unit. The operation took place on Thursday as part of Israel's intensified military campaign in the region.

Escalation of Conflict and Civilian Casualties
Israel resumed heavy bombardment in Gaza on Tuesday, ending a fragile ceasefire that had been in place since mid-January. The renewed strikes, aimed at pressuring Hamas to release hostages and accept revised truce terms, resulted in one of the deadliest days of the conflict. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, 409 people were killed, including 173 children and 88 women, while hundreds more were wounded. The casualty count did not distinguish between civilians and militants.

Medical personnel in Gaza described the horror inside hospitals as victims, many of them children, arrived in large numbers. British doctor Sakib Rokafiya, who was present at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, recounted the overwhelming influx of wounded civilians, saying, "Just child after child, young patient after young patient. The vast, vast majority were women, children, the elderly."

Political Turmoil in Israel Over Security Leadership
In Israel, political tensions deepened with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to dismiss Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet intelligence service. The move sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing Netanyahu of attempting to remove officials he viewed as disloyal.

Israel’s Supreme Court intervened, temporarily freezing Bar’s dismissal while reviewing legal petitions challenging the decision. The hearing is scheduled to take place no later than April 8, just two days before Bar’s removal would have taken effect. Netanyahu’s allies condemned the court’s intervention, calling it judicial overreach, while the prime minister has not indicated whether he would comply with the ruling if the court blocks the dismissal.

Rocket Fire from Lebanon and Israeli Response
Tensions also escalated on Israel’s northern border after three rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israeli territory early Saturday morning. Air raid sirens sounded in the town of Metula, and Israeli air defense systems intercepted the incoming rockets.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz vowed a strong response, stating, "We cannot allow fire from Lebanon on Galilee communities. The Lebanese government is responsible for attacks from its territory. I have ordered the military to respond accordingly." He warned that "Metula's fate is the same as Beirut's," emphasising Israel’s readiness to retaliate.

Threats of Annexation in Gaza
In a further escalation, Katz threatened to annex parts of Gaza if Hamas did not release the remaining Israeli hostages. He made this statement as Israel continued its military assault, rejecting calls for an immediate ceasefire.

A Palestinian official close to the ceasefire negotiations revealed that Hamas had received a new proposal from Egyptian and Qatari mediators. The proposal outlined a phased truce and an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, along with increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Israel has blocked humanitarian aid since March 2, citing security concerns. The latest round of strikes on Friday killed 11 Palestinians, including three in early morning attacks and eight more throughout the day, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency.

With ongoing military action and no immediate resolution in sight, the conflict continues to deepen humanitarian and political crises on both sides. While ceasefire talks are ongoing, the prospect of an extended truce remains uncertain as both parties hold firm on their demands.