Hamas has confirmed that cease-fire negotiations in Gaza are ongoing despite the recent airstrike targeting their military commander, Mohammed Deif. The Israeli military's attack, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 90 individuals, including children, has left Deif's condition uncertain. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that there is still no definitive confirmation of Deif's fate.
The Israeli military announced the death of Rafa Salama, a close associate of Deif and commander of Hamas' Khan Younis brigade, in the same strike. Deif, a long-standing figure on Israel's most-wanted list, has managed to evade capture for years.
Hamas has refuted claims that the cease-fire discussions have been halted following the strike. While acknowledging the impact of the recent violence on the negotiations, Hamas spokesperson Jihad Taha emphasized that mediation efforts are ongoing.
If Deif's death is confirmed, it would mark a significant blow to Hamas and a major victory for Israel. Netanyahu has expressed a desire to eliminate all Hamas leaders to push the group towards accepting a cease-fire agreement.
Despite the attack, communication channels between Hamas leadership inside and outside Gaza remain operational. Survivors of the strike expressed anger over the lack of warning in an area designated as safe, with one individual recounting the tragic loss of his son.
The strike, one of the deadliest in the nine-month conflict that began with Hamas' assault on southern Israel, resulted in over 300 injuries. The toll of the war in Gaza has been devastating, with thousands of lives lost and many more displaced.
A UN official described the chaotic scenes at Nasser hospital, where victims were treated under dire conditions due to limited supplies. The official highlighted the urgent need for humanitarian aid to support those affected by the ongoing violence.
In a separate incident, a Palestinian resident of east Jerusalem carried out a car-ramming attack in central Israel, injuring four individuals. The attacker was shot dead by Israeli border police, who noted a potential link between such incidents and recent events in Gaza.
