Israel confirms death of Hamas military leader Deif in air strike last month

Mohammed Deif is believed to have been one of the masterminds of Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel that triggered the Israel-Gaza war

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Palestinians search for bodies and survivors in a site hit by an Israeli bombardment on Khan Younis on July 13. Photo: AP

Published: 5:04pm, 1 Aug 2024Updated: 5:30pm, 1 Aug 2024

The head of Hamas’ military wing, Mohammed Deif, was killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza last month, the Israeli military said on Thursday, a day after the group’s political leader was assassinated in Tehran.

“The Israel Defence Forces announces that on July 13, 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.

Deif had survived seven previous Israeli assassination attempts, the most recent in 2021.

Hamas did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Israeli announcement, which came as crowds gathered in Tehran for the funeral procession of Hamas’ leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Deif is believed to have been one of the masterminds of Hamas’ October 7 attack on southern Israel, which triggered the Israel-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.

Israel confirms death of Hamas military leader Deif in air strike last month

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Mohammed Deif is believed to have been one of the masterminds of Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel that triggered the Israel-Gaza war

Mohammed Deif is believed to have been one of the masterminds of Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel that triggered the Israel-Gaza war