STORY: :: Israeli army handout
This is the airstrike on Gaza the Israeli military says killed the head of Hamas' military wing, Mohammed Deif.
The IDF announcing on Thursday (August 1) an intelligence assessment confirmed his death, when their fighter jets struck this site in Khan Younis on July 13th.
Deif is believed to have been one of the masterminds of Hamas' October 7 attack on southern Israel which triggered the Gaza war.
:: File
One of Hamas' most dominant figures and top of Israel's most wanted list for decades,
Deif rose through the group's ranks over 30 years, developing its network of tunnels and its bomb-making expertise.
:: July 17, 2024
Hamas neither confirmed nor denied his death.
But one official said any word on deaths of its leaders was its responsibility alone.
Scores of Palestinians were killed in the airstrike that killed Deif, medics in Gaza say.
The announcement came as crowds gathered in Tehran for the funeral procession of Hamas' leader Ismail Haniyeh.
Haniyeh was assassinated in the Iranian capital with both Iran and Hamas blaming Israel, which hasn't denied nor confirmed a role in his killing.
Hezbollah and Hamas are backed by Iran.
These latest killings have raised concern of a further escalation in hostilities in the Middle East.
Israel has said it does not seek regional war but that it would respond forcefully to any attack.
And now on the 300th day of warfare in Gaza, hopes for a hostage deal and ceasefire have dimmed.
