War in Middle East - Israeli Army: Hamas Military Chief in Gaza Strip Attacked
Israel's army, according to its own statements, targeted the leader of Hamas' military wing, Mohammed Deif, in the Gaza Strip. It was initially withheld by the military whether he was injured or killed.
The attack also reportedly targeted the commander of the Hamas brigade in the city of Khan Younis, Rafa Salama. Both were described as "masterminds of the October 7 massacre."
The Israeli newspaper "Haaretz" had previously reported that the army believed Deif, chief of the so-called Qassam Brigades, was among the casualties.
According to Palestinian reports, at least 71 people were killed in the Israeli military operation. At least 289 others were reportedly injured in the Al-Mawasi humanitarian zone, according to the health authority controlled by Hamas.
"The attack was carried out in an enclosed area controlled by Hamas, where, according to our information, only Hamas terrorists and no civilians were present," the army stated. "It was a precise attack. Estimates suggest that most of the casualties were also terrorists who were with Deif and Salama."
The targeted area was reportedly an open area surrounded by trees, several buildings, and trailers. According to Palestinian reports, the Israeli military attacked tents of displaced persons.
All statements could not be independently verified at the time.
- The ongoing conflicts in the Palestinian territories, particularly in the Gaza Strip, often involve intense clashes between Israel's military and groups like Hamas.
- The leader of Hamas' military wing, Mohammed Deif, is a prominent figure in these conflicts, often serving as a host for negotiations or a target for Israeli military operations.
- The Gaza Strip has been a hotbed of violence, with numerous wars and skirmishes between Israel and Hamas, such as the operation that resulted in the targeting of Hamas leaders Deif and Salama.
- The Haaretz newspaper, an Israeli newspaper known for its investigative journalism, had previously suggested that Deif, the head of the Hamas Qassam Brigades, might have been injured or killed during one of these conflicts.
- The Israeli military's strategic decisions and actions in the Gaza Strip are often met with criticism from both international observers and the Palestinian population, particularly in regards to the safety and well-being of civilians in the area.
