Israel attacks Hamas terrorist hideout

Latest developments

Israeli fighter jets attacked the hideout of Hamas terrorist Muhammed Deif in the al-Mawasi humanitarian zone in the Gaza Strip on July 13. The Israeli military’s surprise airstrike on al-Mawasi, a largely barren area in southern Gaza where Israel has provided safe havens for Palestinians displaced by the war, killed dozens of people, local officials claimed. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Deif and his deputy Rafa’a Salameh were fired at with “large above-ground ammunition loads in a low building between the al-Mawasi and Khan Younis areas in southern Gaza, and not in a tunnel.” The Times of Israel reported. Immediately after the attack, it was not clear whether Deif, a veteran military leader of the Iran-backed terrorist organization and one of the main perpetrators of the October 7 atrocities, and Salameh, the commander of Hamas’ Khan Younis Brigade, had been eliminated.

The Israeli military stressed that the attack took place “not in a tent camp for displaced Palestinians, but in a fenced Hamas compound in a civilian area.” Dozens of Hamas activists, including Deif and Salameh’s guards, were also in the vicinity of the attack, military sources said. The Times of Israel“The attack took place in an open area surrounded by trees, several buildings and sheds,” the Israeli army said in a post on X. A Hamas spokesman claimed that only civilians were killed and said the attack showed that Israel was not interested in a ceasefire agreement.

Expert analysis

“If the Israeli forces succeed in eliminating Deif, it would be a major victory against Hamas’ top military commander and one of the main architects of October 7. Israel has stated from the beginning that while it will not fire in the humanitarian zones in Gaza that it has designated to protect innocent civilians, everything would be risky if Hamas were to take advantage of this measure. If leading terrorists try to hide in al-Mawasi and plan further violence, they will be responsible for any bloodshed there.” — Mark DubowitzCEO of FDD

“Deif was not only at the top of Israel’s hit list. The United States placed him on the list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists in 2015. His elimination, after at least six previous attempts to kill him over three decades failed, would be good news for the entire world.” — Joe TruzmanResearch Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

The elusive Deif has been in Israel’s sights before

Deif, a veteran Hamas leader, joined the Islamist organization in 1987 during the first Palestinian intifada. He has been at the top of Israel’s most wanted terrorist list since 1995 “for his involvement in planning and carrying out a large number of terrorist attacks, including many bus bombings in the 1990s and early 2000s.” A confidant described him as a “man in the shadows.” Israel had already carried out seven assassination attempts on Deif in the past 25 years. After the Oct. 7 atrocities, Deif released a video statement in which he referred to the operation as the “Al-Aqsa Flood” and said: “Today the anger of Al Aqsa, the anger of our people and our nation, is exploding. Our mujahideen, today is your day to make this criminal understand that his time is over.”

“IDF discovers command room and weapons at UNRWA headquarters in Gaza,” FDD Flash Brief

“Top Hamas terror commander eliminated in Gaza,” FDD Flash Brief

“Top Hamas terrorist targeted, fate unclear,” FDD Flash Brief