Former Palestinian minister killed in Israeli strike on Gaza home
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Gaza: Youssef Salama, a 68-year-old former minister of religious affairs in the Palestinian Authority, was reported killed in a strike on the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian health ministry and Wafa news agency confirmed his death.
The strike, attributed to Israeli forces, targeted Salama's residence in Gaza, resulting in his untimely death.
Salama, a significant figure known for his affiliation with Fatah, the party led by Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas, served as a minister between February 2005 and March 2006. His connections and involvement in religious affairs extended to being a preacher at the revered Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem's Old City.
The Israeli army has not released any immediate statement regarding the incident.
This tragic event occurred amidst escalating tensions in the region following a series of events, including Hamas' attacks on southern Israel on October 7, which led to a disproportionate Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip.
The ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza continues to claim lives, with the health ministry in Gaza estimating the death toll at over 21,800, primarily women and children. The situation remains highly volatile.