Israel: Top Hamas commander killed in Gaza attack

JERUSALEM: Israel claimed on Sunday that its military killed a senior Hamas military commander, Rafa Salama, in an attack on the Al-Mawasi refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip. The attack caused numerous civilian casualties: 92 Palestinians were killed and over 300 others injured, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

In a statement, the Israeli military confirmed that its air force carried out the operation on Saturday. The target was Salama, described as a key figure in Hamas’ Khan Younis Brigade. The military is also said to have killed Mohammed Deif, Hamas’ military chief.

However, a Hamas official stated that despite the Israeli attempt on his life, Mohammed Deif was alive and actively overseeing operations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the uncertainty regarding Deif’s status and stressed that there was no definitive confirmation of his death.

According to the Israeli military, Salama has a long history within Hamas. He joined the organization in the early 1990s and rose to prominence as a battalion commander.

Later, in 2016, Salama took over leadership of the Khan Younis Brigade, during which time he was reportedly responsible for orchestrating rocket launches into Israel and overseeing the construction of attack tunnels targeting Israel.

Since October 7 last year, Israel has launched a relentless bombing campaign in the Gaza Strip, killing at least 38,584 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.