Mohammed Deif, a Hamas military commander, was killed in Khan Younis over two weeks ago [Getty/file photo]
The Israeli military on Thursday said that Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif had been killed in a strike it carried out last month in Gaza’s southern area of Khan Younis.
The military’s confirmation it had killed Deif comes a day after the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which was announced by Iranian Revolutionary Guards and Hamas.
There’s been no confirmation from Hamas on the matter.
“The IDF (Israeli army) announces that on July 13th, 2024, IDF fighter jets struck in the area of Khan Younis, and following an intelligence assessment, it can be confirmed that Mohammed Deif was eliminated in the strike,” a military statement claimed.
Health authorities in Gaza said at the time of the July 13 strike that it killed more than 90 people.
One Hamas-affiliated writer, Ibrahim al-Madhoun contradicted Israel’s claims, and wrote on X: “[To] the occupation wants to distract public opinion, the news of Mohammed Deif’s martyrdom leaked. “We assure you that Deif and the Qassam commanders are fine”.
The Israeli army’s claims, however, were welcomed by Israeli politicians, notably Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
Israel’s war in Gaza, ongoing for 300 days, has killed at least 39,480 Palestinians since October 7, with thousands more feared to be trapped under rubble. Israel’s military onslaught has been described as a genocide by leading NGOs, UN agencies and several world leaders.
The suspected 2,000-pound bomb (900 kilogrammes) around the house where Deif was said to have taken refuge with one of his deputies had left a giant crater.
The military claimed Deif had over the years carried out several attacks against Israel, and operated along with Yahya Sinwar, the head of Hamas in Gaza,
The news comes as senior Hamas figure Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated by Israel in Tehran, on Wednesday, provoking fears of a wider escalation in tensions in the region and a stall in ceasefire negotiations.
