The powerful Israeli strike was directed at the head of the Hamas military wing, Mohammed Deif. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged he didn't have definitive information on Deif's fate.
Palestinians gather near the bodies of their relatives killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, at a hospital morgue in Deir al-Balah, on Saturday.TEL AVIV — Powerful Israeli airstrikes killed 90 Palestinians and wounded 300 Saturday in southern Gaza, officials said.
In a briefing, an Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the attack targeted Deif, as well as another senior Hamas commander, Rafah Salameh. The official added that the military struck a Hamas"operational compound" that was surrounded by trees, small buildings and sheds, which provided cover and made it difficult to surveil.
Hamas said in a statement that Israel was making"false claims merely to cover up the extent of the horrific massacre." The statement did not mention Deif.Israel says these are the two Hamas leaders most responsible for orchestrating the Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel that killed some 1,200 people and took more than 200 hostages. That attack ignited the current war in Gaza in which more than 38,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
While Sinwar appeared publicly before Oct. 7, Deif has remained out of sight for decades. He was jailed by Israel for a little over a year in 1989-90, but was released. He has run the Hamas military wing since 2002, when his predecessor was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Israel targets Hamas commander in airstrikes that kill more than 70 PalestiniansThe powerful Israeli strike killed dozens in southern Gaza. An Israeli military official said the target was the head of the Hamas military wing, Mohammed Deif. But there was no word on his status.
Read more »
At least 70 Palestinians reported killed in Israeli strike targeting Hamas military chiefIsrael says it targeted Hamas’ top military official, Mohammed Deif, in an airstrike in southern Gaza, with local authorities saying at least 71 Palestinians were killed in multiple strikes in the same area.
Read more »
Live blog: Hamas condemns targeting of school sheltering PalestiniansIsrael's war on Gaza, now in its 275th day, has killed at least 38,098 Palestinians — majority of them women and children –– and wounded 87,705, with 10,000+ estimated to be buried under the debris of bombed homes and 9,500+ abducted by Tel Aviv.
Read more »
Why Does the Media Ignore Hamas' Crimes Against Palestinians?The sad truth is, when Israelis aren't involved, no one is interested in advocating for the Palestinian rights they claim to care about so deeply.
Read more »
Letter: Bad equivalenceBlame Hamas perhaps indeed; however, is the problem solved when you become just like Hamas yourself?
Read more »
Bold & Blunt: Youthful embrace of Hamas over IsraelThe numbers of youth in America who are supporting Hamas over Israel are shocking, disturbing and dark.
Read more »