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On 13 July 2024, Israel air struck Al-Mawasi area in the Gaza Strip, allegedly achieving its goal of assassinating the military commander of Hamas, Mohammed Deif. The attack also killed more than 90 Palestinians and injured over 300, and took place during the Israel-Hamas war.[2]
| 2024 targeted assassination of Mohammed Deif | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Israel–Hamas war | |
  Al-Mawasi Location of Al-Mawasi within the Gaza Strip | |
| Location | Al-Mawasi, Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip |
| Objective | Assassinating the military commander of Hamas |
| Date | 13 July 2024 |
| Executed by |  Israeli Air Force |
| Outcome | Unknown |
| Casualties | 90+ Palestinians[1] killed 289+ Palestinians[1] injured |
Deif has been the Israeli military's 'most wanted' man since 1995 for killing Israeli soldiers and civilians and was the mastermind of the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, which was the largest terrorist attack in Israel's history and resulted in the outbreak of the Israel–Hamas war. Israel struck the Khan Yunis that morning, to an unknown outcome. Israel claimed Deif had been killed, but Hamas denied this.[citation needed]
Background
Mohammed Deif is the leader of the Al-Qassam Brigades,[3] the military wing of Hamas. He was one of the main orchestrators of the October 7 attacks, in which 695 civilians were killed.[4][5][6] The attack took place in the wider context of the Israel-Hamas War. Deif has been on top of Israel's 'most wanted list' since 1995. Deif's survival from seven Israeli assassination attempts has earned him the nickname 'the cat with nine lives' among his Israeli adversaries. In the 2014 attempt, Israel killed Deif’s brother, his nephew, his niece, his wife, his 3-year-old daughter, and his 7-month-old son.[7]
Reactions
Domestic
Israel: The Israel Defense Forces said Mohammed Deif and the commander of Hamas in Khan Younis were in the compound, the IDF said it is waiting for the result of the strike.[8]
Hamas: Hamas dismissed the IDF's claims that it had killed Mohammed Deif, labeling them as "false allegations" that aimed to "cover up the scale of the horrific massacre".[9] Hamas also stated that "It is not the first time Israel claims to target Palestinian leaders, only to be proven false later".[10] In a statement, Hamas announced: "The al-Mawasi massacre in Khan Younis has been committed against an area that is crowded with more than 80,000 displaced people. This is an obvious and clear confirmation from the Zionist government that it will continuing its war of extermination against our Palestinian people, through repeatedly and systematically targeting the defenceless displaced civilians in tents, shelters and residential neighbourhoods".[11] The group made a statement on Telegram calling for the Palestinians of the West Bank and East Jerusalem to "mobilize" in response to the strike.[12]
Palestine: Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for the Palestinian Authority said that US bears responsibility for Israel's actions, also stated that "The massacre in al-Mawasi is a continuation of the genocidal war against our people".[13]- Palestinian Islamic Jihad: the movement condemned the attack, stating that "The horrific massacre committed by the Zionist entity in al-Mawasi near Khan Younis is an insistence on continuing the war of extermination against our people,"[14]
International
Egypt: The Foreign ministry strongly condemned the attack.[15]
Iran: Nasser Kanaani, a spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry condemned the attack, stating on X that the attack was the "latest crime in the series of crimes committed by the child-killing Zionist regime".[16]
Jordan: Foreign ministry spokesperson Sufyan al-Qudah condemned the attack.[17]
Houthi movement: The group condemned the attack, calling Israel's leaders "war criminals" and stated that "The enemy's false claims about targeting leaders in the Palestinian resistance cannot cover up the ugliness of its crimes,".[18]
References
- ^ a b "Over 70 killed in Israeli strikes on al-Mawasi 'safe zone' in south Gaza". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ Jamal, Urooba; Gadzo, Mersiha; Varshalomidze, Tamila (13 July 2024). "'Children in pieces': Israeli raids on Gaza 'safe zone' kill 90, wound 300". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ "Who is the Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif".
- ^ Nakhoul, Samia; Bassam, Laila (13 July 2024). "Who is the Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif". Reuters. Dubai.
- ^ Confino, Jotam (2024-07-13). "Israel targets Hamas Oct 7 mastermind 'The Guest' in air strike". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ "38 children were killed, 20 orphaned on Oct. 7: 'The state did not pass the test of protecting them'". The Times of Israel. 3 March 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ "Israel-Gaza War: Who Is Mohammed Deif? The 'Shadowy' Hamas Leader Behind Israel Attack". ABP News Bureau. 2023-10-13. Archived from the original on 7 November 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
- ^ זיתון, יואב (2024-07-13). "צה"ל מאשר: ניסינו לחסל את מוחמד דף במתחם מחבלים, מחכים לתוצאות התקיפה". Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ Bisset, Victoria; Chamaa, Mohamad El (2024-07-13). "Israel targets Hamas military leader; 71 killed in Mawasi strike, officials say". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:2was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Over 70 killed in Israeli strikes on al-Mawasi 'safe zone' in south Gaza". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ "Hamas calls on West Bank Palestinians to protest for Gaza". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024.
- ^ "US bears responsibility for continuation of massacres: PA". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024.
- ^ "PIJ condemns Israel for 'premeditated' al-Mawasi massacre". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024.
- ^ "Egypt says attacks against Palestinians complicate deal efforts". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024.
- ^ "Iran's Foreign Ministry condemns Israel's attack on al-Mawasi". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024.
- ^ "Jordan denounces Israeli attack on al-Mawasi". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024.
- ^ "Houthis say 'false claims' cannot cover up al-Mawasi massacre". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024.