Mohammed Deif, Rafa Salama, Hamas terrorists attacked in Gaza

Israel’s military radio reported on Saturday that Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas’ military wing the Izzedin al-Qassam Brigades, had been targeted in an airstrike in the Khan Yunis branch of southern Gaza.

It is hidden whether Daif crashed in the collision, and her tidal state is unknown. However, the IDF told military radio that while a lot of preparation had been done for the collision, the collision itself was very real, and the wisdom shown had opened a window of options just hours earlier.

Military radio correspondent Doron Kadosh reported that a security source reported that, as far as is known, negative hostages were held at the collision site. The other two security sources reportedly noted that the attempt to remove Deif occurred while the Hamas leader was inside a tunnel, above the garden.

Israeli media reported that Rafa Salama, commander of Hamas’s Khan Younis Brigade, also became the target of the Israeli attack. Al Hadath, a Saudi information outlet, subsequently reported that Salama had been killed.

Military radio said the displaced persons were hiding in tent-like developments within the Deif and Salama branch.

Citing security officials, military radio reported that the IDF estimated that the collision would likely have killed dozens of people, but it attacked anyway.

On the other hand, Military Radio, presenting IDF analysis, reported that dozens of those killed in the collision were active Hamas militants who had served as security for Deif and Salama.

The top minister’s office dismissed a brief comment regarding the assassination attempt, confirming that “the Prime Minister gave a standing directive at the beginning of the war to eliminate senior Hamas officials. They were killed at night.” Was updated about all incidents during and continues to receive regular updates.” “The Prime Minister will today conduct a situational assessment with all security forces and the National Security Council to discuss next developments and steps.”

A senior Hamas official told an Israeli military radio report that Hamas army chief Mohammed Deif was targeted in Saturday’s clash in Gaza’s Khan Yunis, which was “nonsense”.

“All the martyrs are civilians, and what happened was a serious escalation of a genocidal war because of American support and global silence,” Abu Zuhri told Reuters. Getting the word of ceasefire.

In the wake of the collision, Defense Minister Yoav Galant, IDF chief of staff Herzi Halevi and Shin Weger (Israel Security Company) head Ronen Bar convened an operational situation review, Israeli nearby broadcaster, KAN, reported.

Alternative reviews indicate that a major IDF attack on militants operating in southern Gaza began on Saturday morning.

Walla reported that in the closing hours, Israeli air pressure dropped heavy bombs on terrorist positions within the Khan Yunis branch, as the Iraqi forces began tactical maneuvers within the branch.

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Report of civilian casualties

The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said about 71 people were killed and more than 289 others were injured in the attack.

An earlier statement issued by Hamas said, “The Israeli carrier force carried out a massive massacre by bombing the tent camps of displaced persons in Khan Yunis. More than 100 families, including contributors to the civilian disaster relief, were killed and injured in this terrible massacre. ” the Gaza government media office said.

According to Reuters, the IDF said it would look into reports of dozens of people killed near Khan Yunis.

A correspondent for Hezbollah-affiliated al-Mayadeen claimed that as a result of the IDF’s activities, hospitals in the area were removing previously admitted patients to make room for new patients.

Who is Mohammad Deef?

Deif was born Mohammed Masri in 1965 in the Khan Younis refugee camp, not far from where Israel attacked in an attempt to eliminate the senior Hamas leader. He later became known as Mohammed Deif after joining Hamas during the first intifada in 1987.

According to a 2014 article, Hamas was not the first terrorist group with which Daif affiliated. Washington Post, As a teenager he was introduced to the Muslim Brotherhood and reportedly deepened his ties to Islamic movements while studying at the Islamic University of Gaza.

Jacob Ericsson, an expert on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at the University of York, told FRANCE24 that “def” translates to “guest” and refers to their constant traveling – a tactic used to avoid Israeli attacks. Although Washington Post In 2014 it was suggested that he took his name from the character he played during a university production.

A Hamas source told Reuters that Deif was arrested, only two years after joining the terrorist group, but spent only 16 months in custody.

Deif developed a network of terrorist tunnels for the group and developed his bomb-making expertise. Hamas sources claimed that he lost an eye and suffered serious wounds to a leg in previous assassination attempts.

After surviving several assassination attempts, Gazan’s fans dubbed him “the man with 9 lives”, a play on the common saying that cats have nine lives.

Deif masterminded the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7 – allowing the terrorists to kill 1,200 people and kidnap more than 250 others.

Omri Briner, Israel and Middle East analyst at the International Team for the Study of Security in Verona, told FRANCE24 that after October 7 “(Deif’s) legacy – the most successful in the history of the Palestinian resistance – will live forever.” He may fail now, Israel may assassinate him now: his legacy will outlive him.”

Daif has been considered an international terrorist by the US since 2015.

This is a developing story.

Reuters contributed to this file.