Confirmation of death of senior leader after Israeli attack

Gaza: The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) has confirmed that Ahmed Bahar, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, was killed in an Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip.
Hamas said in a statement on Saturday that Bahar died “after being injured as a result of Israeli air strikes in Gaza”, without giving further details.

Bahar is the highest-ranking leader officially killed by Hamas since the conflict with Israel began on October 7, Xinhua news agency reported.

Bahar, 74, has served as acting speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council since Hamas won the Palestinian parliamentary elections in 2006.

Previously, Bahar also held several other senior positions within Hamas, including head of the Shura Council.