Hamas representative is assassinated by Israel, while their security council deliberates on intensifying military operations in Gaza

In the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the number of hostages has decreased drastically, with fewer than 50 still held captive. Israel believes approximately 20 of these hostages are alive.

The Israeli military announced the death of Abu Obeida, the longtime spokesperson for Hamas' armed wing, on Sunday. Israel's military claimed that Obeida, whose nom de guerre was used to represent Hamas' Qassam Brigades, was behind the release of hostage videos and footage of the Hamas-led attack that sparked the war.

The military has been operating on the outskirts of Gaza City for weeks, preparing for an offensive. The intensified air attacks have targeted coastal areas of Gaza City, including the district of Rimal. Despite the danger, Palestinians have been venturing into the upper floors of shattered buildings, sifting through the rubble in search of what remains.

Many Palestinians in Gaza City have been urged to flee south, but hundreds of thousands remain unconvinced that any safe place in Gaza remains. The repeated displacements have left many exhausted, and the current leader of Hamas' armed wing, following Obeida's death, has not been explicitly identified. The leadership of Hamas continues to emphasize armed struggle, but no specific successor to Obeida has been named.

The conflict has taken a heavy toll on civilians. At least 43 Palestinians were killed since Saturday, most of them in Gaza City, according to local hospitals. Tragically, 124 children have died of malnutrition-related causes since the war began. The situation has grown more dire, with seven more Palestinian adults dying of malnutrition-related causes over the last 24 hours, bringing the adult death toll to 215 since June.

United Nations humanitarian convoys have been overwhelmed by looters and desperate crowds, leading to the unfortunate deaths of civilians. In the Netzarim Corridor, an Israeli military zone that bisects Gaza, witnesses reported Israeli troops opening fire on crowds.

Shifa Hospital, the territory's largest, reported receiving 29 bodies, including 10 people killed while seeking aid. The hospital has been struggling to cope with the influx of casualties.

As the conflict continues, the people of Gaza remain resilient, with a child in Rimal attempting to pull a shopping cart loaded with plastic jugs over the debris. Smoke continues to rise over Gaza City, a grim reminder of the ongoing conflict. Israel has killed many of Hamas' military and political leaders in an attempt to dismantle the group and prevent an attack. The future remains uncertain, but the people of Gaza continue to endure.

Hamas representative is assassinated by Israel, while their security council deliberates on intensifying military operations in Gaza