Hamas military leader Deif killed in July strike, Israel says

JERUSALEM: The Israeli army on Thursday confirmed the assassination of the head of Hamas’ military wing, Mohammed Deif in an Israeli air strike in southern Gaza on July 13.

However, Hamas has not yet commented on Israel’s announcement of the killing of Mohammed Deif who was one of the founders of Hamas’s military wing, the Qassam Brigades, in the 1990s.

The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) announced that on July 13, 2024, IDF fighter jets struck in the area of Khan Yunis. following an intelligence assessment, it can be confirmed that Mohammed Deif was eliminated in the strike,” the military said.

“Following an intelligence assessment, we can now confirm. Mohammed Deif was eliminated,” the Israeli military claimed on Thursday.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant hailed it as “a significant milestone in the process of dismantling Hamas as a military and governing authority in Gaza”.

“Hamas leaders may either surrender or they will be eliminated. Israel’s defense establishment will pursue Hamas terrorists – both the planners and the perpetrators of the 07.10 massacre. We will not rest until this mission is accomplished,” he posted on X.

Israel believes that Deif, the head of Hamas’ military, and Yahya Sinwar, the top Hamas leader in Gaza, were the chief architects of the Oct. 7 attack.

The development came after the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran’s Tehran on Wednesday where he was present for Iranian newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian’s oath-taking ceremony.

Hamas has said Deif survived the July attack in Gaza and did not immediately comment on the military’s announcement of confirmation.