Israel said on Tuesday that it launched an attack on the new leader of Hamas's armed wing, a figure who Israel said had been appointed just days earlier after his predecessor was killed.
In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military had struck Mohammad Awda, who Mr Netanyahu described as Hamas's new armed wing chief in Gaza, replacing Izz Al Haddad.
The Israeli army and Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed that he had been killed in the strike.
Hamas later confirmed he had been killed alongside his wife and two of their children.
Israel recently increased military pressure in Gaza and expanded ground operations in Lebanon.
Sources told The National last week that Mr Awda had replaced Mr Al Haddad as leader of Ezzedine Al Qassam Brigades. There has been no official announcement of his appointment by Hamas.
A relative of Mr Awda confirmed his death to Reuters and said the funeral would take place after noon prayers in Gaza city. A statement from his family said he was killed along with his wife and son.
Gaza health officials said six people, including a woman, were killed and more than 20 were wounded in the Israeli strike that destroyed the upper floor of an apartment building in Gaza city's Rimal neighbourhood. Rescue workers were looking for more possible casualties.
Mr Al Haddad's assassination was the latest in a series that has cut down Hamas's military and political leadership since October 7, 2023, when the group attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostage.
More than 72,000 Gazans have been killed in Israeli attacks since the war started in October 2023.
A ceasefire agreed in October left Israel in control of more than half of Gaza, with Hamas controlling the rest of the territory. At least 900 Palestinians have been killed in strikes on Gaza since the truce.
Four Israeli soldiers have been killed by militants during the same period, the country's military said.
Israeli strikes killed at least seven Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, including five in a refugee camp and two in a car, health officials said.
Medics and residents said an Israeli drone fired a missile at people who came out of their homes when an Israeli-backed Palestinian militia tried to storm an area east of Maghazi camp. Israel also intensified strikes on Lebanon overnight and advanced its ground invasion beyond the so-called yellow line.
