Israel said it was targeting Hamas' armed wing chief in Friday's air strikes, which killed at least seven Palestinians, including a child. Neither Israel nor the militants have confirmed whether Hamas militant leader Izz al-Din al-Haddad had been killed or wounded. Haddad became the group's military chief in the Gaza Strip following Israel's killing of commander Mohammad Sinwar in May 2025. At least two Israeli air strikes hit the area: the first targeted an apartment in the area of Rimal and the second targeted a vehicle on a nearby street. Hundreds of people live in the building that was targeted, said a civil defence spokesperson for Gaza, Mahmoud Basal. Seven Palestinians were killed in the strikes, including the son of a Hamas leader. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)In addition to the seven killed, the attacks left at least 50 people injured. "The missile was fired without any pre-warning or notification," said Basal."We are talking about a big number ​of wounded, among them families." The attack comes as the two countries remain at a standstill, while US President Donald Trump talks of advancing his post-war plan for Gaza.Israel escalates attacks, says Haddad responsible for thousands of deathsAccording to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Haddad was an architect of the attacks that precipitated Israel's assault on the Palestinian territory in October, 2023.In a joint statement, Netanyahu and Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, said Haddad "was responsible for the murder, abduction, and harm inflicted ​on thousands of Israeli civilians (and) soldiers".In the past five weeks, Israel has redirected its attacks back to Gaza since halting its joint bombing with the US in Iran. The Israeli military believes Hamas fighters are tightening their grip in the Palestinian region.Buildings were turned to rubble following the Israeli air strike. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)According to Gaza's health ministry, almost 850 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks despite a "ceasefire" established last October. The agreement halted major fighting in Gaza following two years of war between Israel and Hamas. However, it has failed to reach a permanent settlement that would withdraw Israeli troops, disarm militants and begin to rebuild the ruined city. According to a report by the European Union and the United Nations, Gaza will need more than $US71 billion ($99.4 billion) in the next 10 years for the city's reconstruction.Israeli forces still occupy more than half of Gaza's territory, where they have demolished most remaining buildings.Reuters