KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — Israel mentioned it focused Hamas’ shadowy navy commander in an enormous strike Saturday within the crowded southern Gaza Strip that killed no less than 90 individuals together with kids, in response to native well being officers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned “there nonetheless isn’t absolute certainty” that Mohammed Deif and a second Hamas commander, Rafa Salama, have been killed.
Hamas rejected the declare that Deif was within the space, saying “these false claims are merely a cover-up for the dimensions of the horrific bloodbath.” The strike happened in an space Israel’s navy had designated as protected for tons of of 1000’s of Palestinians.
Deif and Hamas’ prime official in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, are believed by Israel to be the chief architects of the Oct. 7 assault that killed some 1,200 individuals in southern Israel and triggered the Israel-Hamas conflict. Not seen in public for years, Deif has lengthy topped Israel’s most-wanted checklist and is believed to have escaped a number of Israeli assassination makes an attempt. On Oct. 7, Hamas issued a uncommon voice recording of Deif asserting the “Al Aqsa Flood” operation.
The strike got here at a fragile time in cease-fire efforts. Deif’s demise would hand Israel a serious victory and Hamas a painful psychological blow. It additionally may give Netanyahu a attainable opening. Once more on Saturday, the prime minister mentioned Israel won’t finish the conflict till Hamas’ navy capabilities are destroyed. Deif’s demise could be a major step in that path.
All Hamas leaders are marked for demise and “we’ll attain all of them,” Netanyahu mentioned. He added that no hostages had been close by when the strike occurred, with out explaining how he knew that.
Deif’s killing may additionally encourage Hamas to harden its positions in talks. He has been in hiding for greater than twenty years and is believed to be paralyzed. One of many solely identified photographs of him is a 30-year-old ID photograph launched by Israel. Even in Gaza, solely a handful of individuals would acknowledge him.
Saturday’s assault was one of many conflict’s deadliest. The Gaza Well being Ministry reported 90 useless and no less than 300 others injured. Related Press journalists counted over 40 our bodies at overwhelmed Nasser Hospital close by. Witnesses described an assault that included a number of strikes.
“Plenty of victims are nonetheless beneath the rubble and on the roads, and ambulance and civil protection crews are unable to succeed in them,” the Well being Ministry mentioned.
The Israeli navy asserted that “extra terrorists hid amongst civilians” and described the situation as surrounded by bushes and several other buildings. An Israeli official mentioned the strike hit a fenced space of Khan Younis that was run by Hamas, saying it was not a tent advanced however an operational compound. The official described the strike as exact. The military mentioned the compound belonged to Salama.
Witnesses mentioned the strike landed in Muwasi, the Israeli-designated protected zone that stretches from northern Rafah to Khan Younis. Palestinians have fled to the coastal strip, sheltering principally in tents with few fundamental providers or provides. Greater than 80% of Gaza’s 2.3 million individuals have been pushed from their properties.
Footage of the aftermath confirmed an enormous crater, charred tents and burnt-out vehicles. Victims have been carried on the hoods and within the hatchbacks of vehicles, on donkey carts and on carpets.
On the hospital, a child in a pink shirt, her face coated with sand, cried whereas receiving first help. A small boy lay immobile on the different finish of the mattress, one shoe gone. Many wounded have been handled on the ground.
There was “the overwhelming stench of blood,” mentioned Louise Wateridge, a spokesperson with the U.N. company for Palestinian refugees who visited the hospital and spoke with a number of sufferers. Workers mentioned there have been no cleansing merchandise left.
The blast threw a 2-year-old youngster into the air and the mom was lacking, Wateridge mentioned. One other boy had his ft blown off, whereas an 8-year-old boy was killed. “They advised me to go there to be protected,” his grieving mom advised her of the world struck.
Neighboring Egypt, a mediator in cease-fire talks, condemned the strike. “These ongoing violations in opposition to Palestinian residents add severe problems to the power of the efforts at present being made to succeed in calm and a cease-fire,” its Overseas Ministry mentioned in a press release. It additionally criticized the “shameful silence and lack of motion from the worldwide neighborhood.”
Egyptian, Qatari and U.S. mediators have been pushing to slender gaps between Israel and Hamas over a proposed deal for a three-phase cease-fire and hostage launch plan in Gaza.
The U.S.-backed proposal requires an preliminary cease-fire with a restricted hostage launch and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza’s populated areas. On the identical time, the 2 sides will negotiate phrases of the second section, which is meant to carry a full hostage launch in return for a everlasting cease-fire and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Netanyahu mentioned he wasn’t shifting from the U.S.-backed proposal however listed circumstances: Israel’s proper to proceed the conflict till its targets are achieved, the return of as many hostages as attainable within the deal’s first stage, no return of Hamas fighters to northern Gaza and the prevention of arms smuggling, together with management of the important thing Philadelphi hall between Gaza and Egypt.
Israel launched its marketing campaign in Gaza after Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault during which militants stormed into southern Israel and kidnapped about 250 individuals.
Since then, Israeli floor offensives and bombardments have killed greater than 38,400 individuals in Gaza and wounded greater than 88,000, in response to the territory’s Well being Ministry. The ministry doesn’t distinguish between combatants and civilians in its depend.
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Related Press writers Josef Federman in Jerusalem, Jack Jeffery in Ramallah, West Financial institution, Fatma Khaled and Sarah el Deeb in Cairo and Abby Sewell and Bassem Mroue in Beirut contributed to this report.
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Discover extra of AP’s protection at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
