Israeli Airstrike Targets Top Hamas Commander in Gaza

Israel carried out a significant airstrike in southern Gaza on Saturday morning, aiming to eliminate a key Hamas military commander believed to be one of the masterminds behind the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. According to six senior Israeli officials, the targeted commander is Mohammad Deif, a prominent leader of Hamas’s military arm, the Qassam Brigades. He holds a high-ranking position in Gaza, just below the territory’s leader, Yahya Sinwar.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported that the assault resulted in the death of 90 individuals, including women and children, with 300 others sustaining injuries from the attack.

While the fate of Mohammad Deif and Rafah Salameh, the commander of Hamas forces in Khan Younis – who was also said to be targeted in the strike – remains uncertain as of Saturday night.

During a press briefing on Saturday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the attempt to assassinate Mohammad Deif but expressed that there was no definitive confirmation yet on his status.

In response to the allegations made by Israel, Hamas issued a statement dismissing the claims of targeting their leaders as false and accused Israel of using these assertions as a distraction from the severity of the casualties incurred in the attack.