Israel has long been trying to deliberately kill the military leaders of Hamas in Gaza. A heavy air strike on Saturday was aimed at this goal. Netanyahu was apparently prepared to accept the loss of many Palestinians.
Israel’s army carried out a major air strike on Saturday morning in the Gaza Strip west of Khan Yunis. According to the army, the strike was primarily aimed at the leader of Hamas’ military wing, Mohammed Deif. Dozens of other people were apparently killed in the attack. It was initially unclear whether Deif was even hit in the air strike or even killed.
Towards the evening, a high-ranking Hamas representative spoke up. He told Al-Jazeera that Deif had heard Netanyahu’s statement on the matter – and was mocking it.
Netanyahu: Army still checking whether Hamas military chief was killed
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu himself admitted at a press conference in Tel Aviv that there was “no absolute certainty yet.” Israel’s army had announced that it was investigating whether Deif had died in the air strike.
Another target of the attack was Rafa Salama, the commander of the Khan Yunis Brigade. Both were “masterminds of the October 7 massacre” on Israeli soil, it was said.
According to Palestinian sources, at least 90 people were killed in the Israeli military operation. At least 300 other people were injured in the Al-Mawasi humanitarian zone, the Hamas-controlled health authority said.
Israel’s army: No tents in the attacked area
The Israeli army contradicted the information provided by Gaza’s health authority. “The attack was carried out in a fenced area controlled by Hamas, where, according to our information, only Hamas terrorists and no civilians were present,” the army said. “It was a precise attack.”
It is suspected that most of the victims were also terrorists. The attack was supported by the domestic intelligence service “Shin Beth”, which is responsible for the Palestinian territories.
The object hit was in an open area, surrounded by trees, several buildings and barracks. There were no tents in the area. The Israeli military also stated that it was very certain that there were no Israeli hostages in the object at the time of the attack.
The Palestinian side, however, said that the Israeli army had hit tents belonging to displaced people. Many of the Palestinians injured in the attack were in critical condition, according to medical sources in the Gaza Strip.
None of the information could initially be independently verified.
Hospital cannot accommodate all injured
One of Israel’s goals in the Gaza war is to capture or kill Deif and the Hamas leader in the coastal region, Jihia al-Sinwar. They are considered the two most important leaders of the organization within the Gaza Strip. In March, the army reported the killing of the third highest-ranking Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, Marwan Issa.
According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, there were several heavy attacks in the area this morning. Staff at the nearby Nasser Hospital reported that there were no longer enough beds to accommodate the large number of injured following the attacks.
Footage circulated on social media that purported to show a huge crater after the air strike. It also shows people digging in the sand and rubble, presumably to search for survivors. The authenticity of the video could not initially be independently verified.
Insider: Negotiations on ceasefire interrupted
Meanwhile, talks on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip have been suspended, according to reports from Egypt. Two insiders told the Reuters news agency that the talks would be suspended until Israel shows seriousness. Egyptian broadcaster Al Qahera News TV previously reported, citing an insider, that Egypt was accusing Israel of dragging out the talks.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has attributed responsibility for the Gaza war to Hamas, demonstrating growing differences among the Palestinians. Hamas is evading national unity and providing Israel with pretexts as an occupying power, according to a statement released by Abbas’ office in the West Bank. Hamas is therefore partly responsible for the continuation of the war. Abbas also condemns the Israeli air strike on Khan Yunis, for which the USA, as a supporter of Israel, is also responsible.
Note: This article has been updated several times.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
