Following a targeted Israeli airstrike on Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif, which resulted in the deaths of at least 90 individuals, including children, in Gaza, Hamas has affirmed that cease-fire negotiations are ongoing.
The strike, aimed at eliminating Deif, has left his condition uncertain despite initial reports suggesting he may have been killed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Saturday that there remained uncertainty regarding Deif’s fate. In response, Hamas officials asserted that Deif, a key figure behind the October 7 attack that ignited the current conflict, remains in good health. However, no evidence has been provided to substantiate this claim.
Rafa Salama, described as one of Deif’s close associates and commander of Hamas’ Khan Younis brigade, was confirmed dead in the strike. The Israeli military has acknowledged Salama’s death, while Deif, a long-time top target of Israeli forces, continues to evade confirmation of his status.
Despite the significant loss, Hamas spokesperson Jihad Taha emphasized that mediated cease-fire efforts have not been halted. Taha acknowledged the impact of the airstrikes on negotiations, describing them as horrific massacres. However, he affirmed that mediation efforts are ongoing.
The strike on Deif, occurring in an area designated as safe for displaced Palestinians, has sparked outrage and confusion among survivors. Many expressed anger over the lack of warning before the attack, questioning where they could seek safety amidst ongoing hostilities.
Mahmoud Abu Yaseen, who lost his son in the attack, expressed frustration, highlighting the family’s repeated displacement since the conflict began.
Meanwhile, United Nations officials described scenes of chaos and despair at Nasser Hospital, where victims, including children, faced dire medical conditions exacerbated by limited supplies and humanitarian aid restrictions.
In response to the escalating violence, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant praised the military operation targeting Hamas, asserting that the organization’s capabilities are being steadily eroded.
The minister’s remarks underscored ongoing Israeli military actions amid a protracted conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and left tens of thousands wounded in Gaza since October.
Amidst the regional turmoil, tensions escalated further as a Palestinian resident of East Jerusalem carried out a car-ramming attack in central Israel, injuring four Israelis. Israeli authorities responded swiftly, fatally shooting the attacker at the scene, attributing such incidents to heightened tensions following recent events in Gaza.
The developments underscore the volatile and complex nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with repercussions felt both locally and internationally as efforts to broker peace continue amidst ongoing violence and uncertainty.
