Israeli Military Announces Death of Hamas Leader Muhammad Deif

In a significant development, the Israeli military reported on Thursday that it had successfully eliminated Muhammad Deif, the prominent Hamas commander believed to be one of the masterminds behind the devastating attack on Israel on October 7. This airstrike, which occurred last month, marks the third assassination of a key Iranian-backed militant leader in recent weeks.

The announcement regarding Deif’s death came amid a backdrop of heightened tensions, as thousands of mourners gathered to pay their respects at the funerals of another Hamas leader and a Hezbollah commander, both of whom were killed in recent operations. These assassinations have intensified concerns about the possibility of a broader regional conflict.

According to the Israeli military, Deif was killed in an airstrike targeting a compound in southern Gaza on July 13. The military stated that his death was confirmed through an intelligence assessment, although specific details surrounding the operation were not disclosed. Tragically, the strike resulted in the loss of at least 90 other lives, as reported by health officials in Gaza.

As of now, Hamas has not publicly confirmed or denied the death of Deif. Serving as the No. 2 leader in Gaza, his demise would represent a significant blow to Hamas, making him the highest-ranking military figure to be killed by Israeli forces during the ongoing offensive in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of over 38,000 individuals, according to health officials in the region.

The Israeli military campaign was initiated in response to the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, during which approximately 1,200 people were killed and around 250 others were abducted to Gaza. Israeli leaders have asserted their commitment to persist in their operations until Hamas’s military and governance structures are dismantled completely.

The announcement of Deif’s death has been met with celebrations from Israeli officials, marking yet another turning point in a tumultuous two days that have unsettled the leadership of both Hamas and Hezbollah, groups that are heavily supported by Iran.

In a related incident, Palestinians were seen evacuating a body from a site that had been struck by Israeli bombardment in Khan Younis, located in southern Gaza, last month. The Israeli military confirmed that it had specifically targeted Muhammad Deif, a key military commander of Hamas, in this airstrike.

Credit: Jehad Alshrafi/Associated Press