Israeli military attacks Hamas military leader in Gaza attack, causing numerous casualties

The Israeli military has confirmed that Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas’ military wing, was the target of its attack in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis on Saturday. The attack left at least 71 people dead and 289 injured, according to online reports.

An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity pending an official announcement, also mentioned that Rafa Salama, another senior Hamas official, was targeted in the same attack.

Mohammed Deif is believed to be the mastermind of the October 7 attack in southern Israel that sparked the latest conflict between Israel and Hamas. He has been at the top of Israel’s wanted list for years and has reportedly survived several Israeli assassination attempts.

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Following the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that security talks would be held later in the day. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, many of the injured and dead were taken to the nearby Nasser Hospital. Earlier reports from Israel’s Army Radio indicated that it was not yet clear whether Deif was killed in the attack.

Israel launched its military operations in the Gaza Strip in response to the attack by Hamas militias on October 7, which left about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, dead and about 250 others kidnapped in southern Israel.

Since then, more than 38,300 people have been killed and more than 88,000 injured in Gaza as a result of Israeli ground operations and air strikes, the territory’s health ministry said.

(With contributions from online reports)

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