Killing of Hamas' top military commander confirmed, Israel says
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Palestinians inspect the aftermath of the July 13 Israeli strike in Khan Younis. Photo: Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu via Getty
Israel's military said Thursday that it has intelligence confirming its July 13 airstrike killed Hamas' top military commander, Mohammed Deif.
Why it matters: Israeli officials say Deif was one of the primary masterminds of the Oct. 7 attacks that killed some 1,200 people. If confirmed, his death would mean Israel killed Hamas' top military commander and top political leader in just over two weeks.
State of play: Hamas' political bureau said in a statement that it was up to the group's military wing to confirm or deny Deif's death, and that no such confirmation had been made.
- Hamas initially denied Deif had been killed in the strike in Khan Younis in Southern Gaza. Gaza health authorities said the strike killed 90 people.
- Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called Deif "the Osama bin Laden of Gaza" and claimed his death showed "Hamas is disintegrating."
Meanwhile, large crowds gathered today in Tehran for a funeral procession for Hamas' political chief, Ismail Haniyeh.
- Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who has vowed revenge for Haniyeh's assassination on Iranian soil on Wednesday, led prayers.
Go deeper: U.S. concerned assassination will derail peace talks
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
