Israel has confirmed the death of a senior Hamas commander in a recent strike on southern Gaza, but the status of the primary target, Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, remains unknown.
On Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that Rafe Salama, the head of the Khan Younis brigade and deputy to Deif, was killed in the operation.
According to the IDF, Salama was a key figure within Hamas, described as “one of the closest associates” of Deif and “one of the masterminds” behind Hamas’ attack on October 7.
The fate of Mohammed Deif, a highly elusive and influential leader who has commanded Hamas’ armed wing for over two decades, is still uncertain.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli military have stated that efforts are underway to verify whether Deif was killed in the strike. If confirmed, Deif’s death would represent the most significant loss for Hamas since the onset of the conflict.
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The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that the strike resulted in the deaths of at least 90 Palestinians and injured 300 others in Al-Mawasi, a designated humanitarian zone.
Scott Anderson from the United Nations, who visited a nearby hospital after the strikes, described the aftermath as “the most horrific scenes I have seen in my nine months in Gaza.”
Mohammed Deif is known as one of the chief architects of the October 7 attacks. His potential death would be a substantial blow to Hamas, given his strategic and operational role within the organization. Deif has been a central figure in Hamas’ military operations, evading capture and surviving multiple assassination attempts over the years.
In the broader context of the conflict, Israeli intelligence services reported the elimination of 25 Hamas operatives involved in the October 7 attacks over the past week.
This was disclosed by Ronen Bar, head of Israel’s intelligence agency, the Shin Bet, during a meeting with IDF commanders in Rafah on Saturday. Bar praised the results of the Shin Bet’s intensified activities within Gaza.
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The ongoing conflict has seen relentless efforts by Israel to dismantle Hamas following the devastating October 7 attacks. However, with high-ranking Hamas figures still at large, the goal remains challenging.
The recent strike and the uncertainty surrounding Deif’s fate underscore the volatile and complex nature of the situation in Gaza, as both sides continue to endure significant losses.