An Israeli airstrike killed at least 71 Palestinians in a humanitarian zone in Gaza, targeting Hamas’ military chief Mohammed Deif. The strike happened in Al-Mawasi, an area where the Israeli army had told Palestinians to seek refuge.
Hamas denied that its leaders were targeted, saying the claim was just an excuse for the attack. The Israeli military said the strike was aimed at Deif and Rafa Salama, another senior Hamas leader involved in an October attack on Israel.
Deif, a longstanding figure on Israel’s most-wanted list, has survived multiple assassination attempts. The Gaza health ministry reported the strike as the deadliest in weeks, with 289 injured.
Israel released an aerial photo suggesting militants hid among civilians at the strike site, which Reuters could not immediately verify. The military described the area as an operational Hamas compound, not just a humanitarian zone, adding ambiguity to whether Deif was killed.
Israeli Airstrike in Gaza Humanitarian Zone Kills 71, Targets Hamas Leader Deif
The aftermath saw Nasser Hospital overwhelmed with casualties, struggling due to a severe shortage of medical supplies. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant held consultations amid ongoing ceasefire talks in Doha and Cairo.
The Hamas-run media office reported at least 100 casualties, and a senior Hamas official dismissed Israeli allegations about Deif’s presence, condemning the attack as an escalation backed by international silence.
Separately, at least 10 Palestinians died in an Israeli attack on a prayer hall in a Gaza camp for displaced people. Witnesses and footage captured the chaos as ambulances raced to the scene and civilians fled in panic. The unexpected strike devastated families, with survivors expressing their grief and anger. The area had been relatively calm, leading to surprise and additional civilian casualties.
The conflict’s broader context includes a cross-border raid by Hamas-led militants into southern Israel on October 7, resulting in significant casualties and hostages. Israel’s military response has led to a high death toll in Gaza, with medical authorities reporting over 38,000 Palestinian deaths. This cycle of violence underscores the severe humanitarian impact and ongoing geopolitical tensions.
