In a tragic development, Youssef Salama, the 68-year-old former Palestinian Authority minister of religious affairs, fell victim to an Israeli strike on his residence in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza.
The strike, which occurred on Sunday, was confirmed by both the official Palestinian news agency and the Hamas health ministry.
Youssef Salama, closely associated with Fatah, the party led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas, served as the minister of religious affairs from February 2005 to March 2006.
Beyond his political role, Salama also held a significant position as a preacher at Al-Aqsa mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem.
The Israeli army has not yet provided an immediate comment on the incident.
The unfortunate event comes amid Israel’s relentless military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, initiated in response to an unprecedented attack by Palestinian militants on southern Israel on October 7.
The aftermath of the militants’ actions resulted in a tragic toll, with approximately 1,140 casualties, predominantly civilians, as reported by AFP based on Israeli figures.
The broader Gaza offensive by Israel has led to the loss of more than 21,800 lives, with a predominant impact on women and children, according to the health ministry in Gaza, which is under the rule of Hamas.
The situation remains deeply concerning, and the international community closely monitors developments in the region.
