The military leader of Hamas in Gaza, Mohammed Deif, was targeted in an Israeli airstrike in the Khan Younis area in the south of the enclave on Saturday morning, local media reported, but it is unclear yet whether he was injured in the attack that left scores of Palestinians dead.
The Israeli military radio reported that the commander of Hamas' Khan Younis Brigade, Rafa Salama, was also a targeted. Ynet cited Israeli security sources saying the military estimates Deif, who leads Hamas military wing the Ezzedeen al-Qassam Brigades, was at least seriously wounded, though there is no confirmation of his status.
According to Hamas-run radio, at least 20 people were killed and over 120 injured in an Israeli aerial attack on an area for displaced persons in al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis.
Deif is believed to be the mastermind of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, which saw nearly 1,200 people killed and 240 more abducted. He is the second in command after Yehya Sinwar and has been on Israel’s hit list for decades. Since the war broke out in Gaza after the attack, more than 38,000 Palestinians have been killed.
This is a breaking story that will be updated..
