Israeli officials confirm death of Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif in July airstrike

The Israeli military has officially announced that the leader of Hamas’ military wing, Mohammed Deif, was killed in an airstrike in Gaza in July. Deif was targeted in a strike on July 13 in Khan Younis, but confirmation of his death took several weeks to verify. Hamas had denied reports of his death, which claimed the lives of more than 90 individuals, including displaced civilians in nearby tents, according to Gaza health officials.

Israel confirmed Deif’s death following an intelligence assessment, but Hamas has not yet responded to the statement. This confirmation comes shortly after an alleged Israeli airstrike in Tehran led to the death of Hamas’ top political leader, Ismail Haniyeh. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement, whereas Iran has threatened retaliation. Despite targeting Deif and Haniyeh, Israel remains intent on eliminating Hamas’ top leader in Gaza, Yehya Sinwar, who has so far evaded capture.

The Israeli authorities hold Sinwar and Deif responsible for orchestrating a violent attack on southern Israeli communities on October 7, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the abduction of around 250 others. Deif, a longtime leader of Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, since the 1990s, oversaw numerous suicide bombings and the development of a significant rocket arsenal capable of reaching deep into Israeli territory.