Israel has reported targeting Hamas' military commander in a significant strike in the southern Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of at least 71 individuals, as confirmed by local health officials. The strike aimed at Mohammed Deif, the shadowy figure believed to be the mastermind behind the Oct. 7 attack that claimed the lives of approximately 1,200 people in southern Israel, sparking the Israel-Hamas conflict. Deif, a long-standing figure on Israel's most-wanted list, has reportedly evaded multiple assassination attempts in the past.
Hamas has refuted Israel's claims, denouncing them as a cover-up for the alleged massacre. The Gaza Health Ministry has reported at least 289 injuries in the attack, with many casualties taken to nearby Nasser Hospital. The aftermath of the strike revealed a scene of devastation, with charred tents, burnt-out vehicles, and scattered belongings amidst the blackened landscape.
Witnesses described the strike landing in Muwasi, a designated safe zone where displaced Palestinians sought refuge. The strike location was described as an area surrounded by trees, buildings, and sheds. The Israeli military asserted that additional terrorists were hiding among civilians in the vicinity.
The strike comes amid ongoing efforts by U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari mediators to broker a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas. The proposed deal includes a three-phase plan involving a cease-fire, hostage release, and Israeli troop withdrawal from populated areas in Gaza.
Israel initiated its campaign in Gaza following the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants, resulting in significant casualties and abductions. The conflict has led to extensive casualties and displacement in Gaza, with over 38,400 deaths and 88,000 injuries reported by the territory's Health Ministry. The majority of Gaza's population has been displaced, residing in overcrowded tent camps and facing severe humanitarian challenges.
