Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Four Killed in Gaza Strikes; Israel Targets Hamas Finance Chief
Israeli airstrikes killed at least four Palestinians in Gaza on Wednesday.
Two of them died when a vehicle was hit in Khan Younis.
The two were identified as Mohammad Abu Elwan and Osama Abu Khater.
Israel said Abu Elwan was an important Hamas finance official.
Two more people were killed in strikes in Gaza City and Deir Al-Balah.
The Israeli military did not immediately comment on those later strikes.
A ceasefire agreement exists, but talks have made little progress.
Israel and Hamas disagree about who is breaking the ceasefire.
Israeli airstrikes killed at least four Palestinians in Gaza on Wednesday, Palestinian health officials said.
Two people, including Mohammad Abu Elwan and Osama Abu Khater, were killed when a vehicle was struck in western Khan Younis.
Israel said Mohammad Abu Elwan was a senior Hamas finance official and that the attack targeted him.
Two additional people were killed in separate strikes in Gaza City and Deir Al-Balah; the Israeli military did not immediately comment.
Israel and Hamas continue to blame each other for ceasefire violations as negotiations remain stalled over disarmament and troop withdrawals.
- Who
- Israeli forces and Hamas are central to the reported strikes and continuing ceasefire dispute; Palestinian health officials reported the deaths.
- What
- At least four Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes, including an alleged senior Hamas finance official.
- When
- Wednesday, September 23, according to the report.
- Where
- The strikes occurred in western Khan Younis, Gaza City, and Deir Al-Balah in the Gaza Strip.
- Why
- Israel said one strike targeted Hamas finance chief Mohammad Abu Elwan as part of its effort to prevent Hamas from rebuilding.
Palestinian and Hamas Position
Israeli Position
Responsibility for ceasefire violations
Palestinian and Hamas Position
Palestinian authorities and Hamas blame Israel for continued airstrikes and violations of the ceasefire.
Israeli Position
Israel and Hamas trade blame, while Israel says its operations are intended to prevent Hamas from rebuilding its strength.
Purpose of the strike
Palestinian and Hamas Position
Palestinian health officials reported deaths and injuries from an airstrike on a vehicle, without independently confirming Israel's characterization of the target.
Israeli Position
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the strike killed Mohammad Abu Elwan, whom they described as a senior Hamas finance official.
Ceasefire negotiations
Palestinian and Hamas Position
Negotiators have not reached terms for Hamas to disarm, and Palestinian officials report continued casualties in Gaza.
Israeli Position
The ceasefire's implementation remains linked to Hamas disarmament and an Israeli troop withdrawal, with little progress reported.
- Reported deaths
- At least four Palestinians were killed in Gaza on Wednesday.
- Vehicle strike
- Two people were killed when an Israeli airstrike hit a vehicle in western Khan Younis.
- Israeli claim
- Israel described Mohammad Abu Elwan as a senior Hamas finance official and said he was targeted.
- Additional strikes
- Two people were reportedly killed in separate strikes in Gaza City and Deir Al-Balah.
- Ceasefire
- A US-brokered ceasefire agreed last year calls for reconstruction, but negotiations have stalled.
- Reported toll since ceasefire
- Palestinian health officials say at least 1,400 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began.
- Israeli military losses
- The Israeli military says four Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ceasefire took effect.