Authors: Nidal al-Mughrabi, Hatem Khaled and Maayan Lubell
CAIRO/GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel launched an airstrike on Saturday in opposition to Hamas navy chief Mohammed Deif in Gaza, a safety official and Israel Military Radio mentioned, including the enclave’s well being ministry mentioned The assault killed a minimum of 71 Palestinians.
Safety officers mentioned it was unclear whether or not Deif was killed. Military Radio mentioned Deif was hiding in a constructing in Mawasi, an Israeli-designated humanitarian zone west of the southern metropolis of Khan Younis.
Deif was one of many architects of Hamas’s October 7 assault on Israel, which triggered the Gaza struggle. He has survived seven assassination makes an attempt in Israel, most just lately in 2021, and has been on the prime of Israel’s most needed checklist for many years.
Gaza’s well being ministry mentioned a minimum of 71 Palestinians had been killed and 289 injured within the assault.
Israeli Protection Minister Yoav Galant’s workplace mentioned particular consultations had been being held in mild of “developments in Gaza.” It was unclear how the assault would have an effect on ongoing ceasefire talks in Doha and Cairo.
The Hamas-run media workplace mentioned a minimum of 100 folks had been killed or injured, together with members of civilian emergency providers. The Israeli navy mentioned it was investigating the report.
A senior Hamas official didn’t verify whether or not Deif was current and referred to as the Israeli accusation “nonsense.”
“All of the martyrs had been civilians and what occurred, with the assist of america and the silence of the world, was a critical escalation of a genocidal struggle,” Abu Zuhri instructed Reuters, including that the assault demonstrated Israel’s dedication to Not serious about reaching a ceasefire.
Witnesses described assault as ‘shocking’
Reuters footage confirmed ambulances dashing towards the realm amid smoke and dirt. Displaced folks, together with ladies and kids, fled in panic, some carrying belongings.
Witnesses mentioned the assault got here as a shock as a result of the realm had been quiet, including that multiple missile was fired. Among the injured being evacuated had been rescue staff, they mentioned.
“They’re all gone, my complete household is gone… The place are my brothers? They’re all gone, they’re all gone. There isn’t any one left,” mentioned a tearful girl who didn’t give her title. mentioned.
“Our kids are damaged, they’re damaged. Disgrace on (you),” she added.
Deif rose by the ranks of Hamas for greater than 30 years, growing the group’s tunnel community and its bomb-making experience. He’s believed to be answerable for suicide bombings that killed dozens of Israelis.
In accordance with Israeli statistics, Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 folks and took 250 hostages in a cross-border assault on southern Israel on October 7.
Gaza medical authorities mentioned Israel retaliated with navy operations in Gaza, killing greater than 38,000 Palestinians.
