Palestinians inspect the scene after an Israeli raid on the tents of displaced people in the Al-Mawasi area of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, 13 July 2024. Gaza's health ministry said at least 71 Palestinians were killed in the Israeli attack in Khan Younis, 289 others were injured. Israeli military confirmed it targeted Hamas military chief, Mohammed Deif, in Saturday's attack in Gaza. EPA-EFE/HAITHAM IMAD "The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) announces that on July 13th, 2024, IDF fighter jets struck in the area of Khan Yunis, and following an intelligence assessment, it can be confirmed that Mohammed Deif was eliminated in the strike," the military said.
Hamas did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Israeli announcement, which came as crowds gathered in Teheran for the funeral procession of Hamas' leader Isamil Haniyeh.
Deif is believed to have been one of the masterminds of Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, which triggered the Gaza war, now in its 300th day.
One of Hamas' most dominant figures, Deif rose through the group's ranks over 30 years, developing its network of tunnels and its bomb-making expertise.
He has topped Israel's most wanted list for decades, held personally responsible for the deaths of dozens of Israelis in suicide bombings.
(Reporting by Maayan Lubell and Nidal al-MughrabiEditing by Gareth Jones)
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