In a daring move, the Israel Defense Forces launched a major airstrike in Gaza over the weekend targeting the Hamas commander believed to be behind the horrific attacks on October 7 that claimed the lives of 1,200 Israelis and sparked the ongoing war.
The Israeli military aimed rockets at a compound where Muhammad Deif, the leader of Hamas’s military wing, and Rafa’a Salameh, the commander of Hamas’s Khan Younis Brigade, were believed to be hiding, as reported by multiple sources.
The results of the strike are still pending confirmation, with reports suggesting that Deif was seriously injured and Salameh may have been killed. If Deif, who is considered second-in-command to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, has been taken out, it could have significant implications for the ongoing conflict.
Furthermore, the strike is said to have taken place in an area designated as a safe zone by the Israeli military. While Hamas denies that Deif was the target, unverified reports from the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza claim significant casualties among Palestinians.
Before this development, Deif had been a long-standing target for the Israeli military, with the government even placing a bounty on his head. The strike comes at a critical time as mediators are working to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
As the situation continues to unfold, the fate of Deif and the impact of the strike remain uncertain. Stay tuned for updates as the story develops.
