Jerusalem: Israel’s army confirmed on Thursday that Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif was killed in an air strike last month in the southern Gaza Strip. The announcement follows a day after reports from Hamas and Iran that the Palestinian movement’s chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran, although Israel has not commented on Haniyeh’s death.
“Mohammed Deif, the Osama bin Laden of Gaza, was eliminated on July 13,” Defence Minister Yoav Gallant stated. “This marks a significant milestone in the process of dismantling Hamas in Gaza,” he added.
The army reported that fighter jets struck Khan Yunis on July 13, and subsequent intelligence confirmed Deif’s elimination in the strike, along with one of his top commanders, Rafa Salama. Health authorities in Hamas-run Gaza mentioned that more than 90 people were killed in the strike, but Hamas initially denied that Deif was among the casualties.
Deif, who led the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades since 2002, was one of Israel’s most wanted men and had been on a US list of “international terrorists” since 2015. He was known for orchestrating the October 7 attack on southern Israel, which resulted in the death of 1,197 people.
Throughout his career, Deif survived multiple assassination attempts, earning the nickname “cat with nine lives.” In 2014, an Israeli airstrike killed his wife and infant son. Despite the dangers, he remained a key figure in Hamas, responsible for significant military operations and the development of an extensive tunnel network in Gaza.
The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor had issued a warrant for Deif’s arrest for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Alongside him, Yahya Sinwar, the chief of Hamas in Gaza, is still sought by Israel.
The recent military campaign by Israel in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of 39,480 people, according to Gaza’s health ministry. This ongoing conflict continues to shape the region’s political and humanitarian landscape.
