Israeli Military Claims Death of Hamas Commander Muhammad Deif
On Thursday, the Israeli military announced that it had successfully targeted and killed Muhammad Deif, the prominent commander of Hamas, who is widely regarded as a key architect of the deadly October 7 attack on Israel. This operation marks a significant escalation in Israel’s ongoing military campaign, which has already seen the elimination of several Iranian-backed militant leaders in recent weeks.
The confirmation of Deif’s death came shortly after thousands of mourners gathered for the funerals of another high-ranking Hamas leader and a Hezbollah commander, both of whom were assassinated in operations earlier this week. This spate of killings has intensified concerns regarding the potential for a broader regional conflict.
According to the Israeli military, Deif was killed during an airstrike on a compound in southern Gaza on July 13. While the military stated that his death was validated through intelligence assessments, they refrained from disclosing additional specifics surrounding the operation. Tragically, the strike also resulted in the deaths of at least 90 other individuals, as reported by health officials in Gaza.
As of now, Hamas has neither confirmed nor denied the death of Deif, who held the position of the group’s second-in-command in Gaza. If confirmed, his death would represent the highest-ranking military figure within Hamas to be killed by Israeli forces amidst the ongoing offensive, which has reportedly claimed the lives of over 38,000 people in Gaza, according to local health officials.
The Israeli military’s campaign was launched in response to the devastating Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and saw around 250 individuals abducted to Gaza.
Israeli officials have expressed their determination to persist in their military operations until they dismantle Hamas’s military infrastructure and governing capabilities. The announcement of Deif’s death has been met with a mixture of relief and celebration among Israeli leaders, as it represents a significant blow to Hamas. This news follows a tumultuous two days that have unsettled the leadership of both Hamas and Hezbollah, groups that are heavily supported by Iran.
In a related note, the ongoing conflict has left many in Gaza mourning the loss of loved ones. Recently, Palestinians were seen evacuating a body from a site that had been devastated by Israeli bombardment in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, underscoring the tragic human toll of the military actions. Israel has stated that the airstrike was aimed specifically at targeting Muhammad Deif, a pivotal figure in Hamas’s military operations.
Credit: Jehad Alshrafi/Associated Press
