Israel has made an attempt to assassinate Mohammed Deif, the elusive leader of Hamas' military wing, in a strike that took place in a humanitarian zone in southern Gaza. The strike resulted in the deaths of at least 90 Palestinians and left nearly 300 others wounded, as reported by local health officials.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that it is uncertain whether Deif and another target of the strike, Rafa Salama, were killed. Netanyahu also emphasized that Hamas' entire leadership is considered targets for assassination.
Who is Mohammed Deif?
Mohammed Deif, a founding member of Hamas' military wing, the Qassam Brigades, has been leading the unit for over two decades. He is known to be paralyzed after surviving multiple Israeli assassination attempts and has not been seen in public for years. Deif was born in the refugee camp of Khan Younis in the early 1960s and is believed to have joined Hamas in the late 1980s.
Deif was promoted to head of the Qassam Brigades in 2002 and is credited with expanding Hamas' network of tunnels in Gaza. He has been held responsible for orchestrating attacks that resulted in the deaths of numerous Israeli civilians.
Implications of Deif's Death
The potential killing of Deif would represent a significant blow to Hamas and a major victory for Israel in the ongoing conflict. Netanyahu's statement that all Hamas leaders are targets for assassination indicates a strategy to pressure the group into accepting a cease-fire deal.
However, the death of Deif could complicate cease-fire negotiations and further widen the gap between Hamas and Israel. Analysts suggest that while it may provide a victory narrative for Israel, it could also harden Hamas' stance and make accepting a cease-fire more challenging.
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