On a Saturday morning, Israel carried out a significant airstrike in southern Gaza, aiming at a key Hamas military commander involved in planning the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. According to six senior Israeli officials, the targeted commander is identified as Muhammad Deif, the leader of the Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing. He holds a crucial position as the second most senior Hamas figure in Gaza, following Yahya Sinwar, the leader in the territory.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that the assault resulted in the deaths of 90 individuals, including half women and children, with 300 others sustaining injuries from the attack. Among those targeted alongside Deif was Rafah Salameh, the head of Hamas forces in Khan Younis, as confirmed by Israeli officials.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the media on Saturday night, confirming the attempt to assassinate Mr. Deif, yet acknowledging that the outcome was uncertain. He stated, “Israel did not yet have ‘absolute clarity’ as to whether he had been killed.”
In response to Israel’s actions, Hamas issued a statement refuting the claims of targeting their leaders, dismissing them as a ploy to divert attention from the devastating casualties caused by the attack. The fate of Muhammad Deif and Rafah Salameh remains uncertain as of Saturday night.
