Mohammed Deif was the leader of Hamas’ military wing. According to the IDF, he died in an airstrike in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza on July 13.
The IDF states that the Hamas leader died in “a precisely targeted attack” on a facility, which also killed Hamas commander Rafa’a Salameh.
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According to the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health, more than 90 people died in the attack, and several hundred were injured.
Israel’s military stated in connection with the incident that the goal was to kill Mohammed Deif. The IDF now says it has conducted an intelligence assessment confirming his death.
IDF: Carried out terrorist attacks against Israel
According to the IDF, Mohammed Deif “directed, planned and carried out numerous terrorist attacks” against Israel.
The IDF’s statement comes less than two days after Hamas political leader Ismail Haniya was killed in Iran’s capital Tehran, something Israel has not yet commented on.
Mohammed Deif has been wanted by Israel for nearly three decades, and has been on the US list of international terrorists since 2015, writes AFP.
Kept hidden from the public
Mohammed Deif was one of the founders of Hamas’s military branch the Qassam Brigades in the 90s and is said to be one of those who orchestrated the attack on October 7, AP writes.
There are few pictures of Mohammed Deif, who never participated in public affairs. He has previously survived several Israeli assassination attempts.
Hamas has not commented on the death.