Israeli forces have killed Izz al-Din al-Beik, the head of Hamas's armed wing in northern Gaza, in an airstrike on an apartment building in Gaza City, Palestinian sources and Israeli officials confirmed.

Al-Beik was killed early on Tuesday in a strike targeting an apartment building in the Nassr neighbourhood of Gaza City, according to medics and Hamas sources.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a joint statement on X confirming that the military had killed al-Beik.

Al-Beik had assumed command of the Qassam Brigades in northern Gaza, succeeding senior commander Ahmed al-Ghandour.