Israel Says It Hit Hamas Military Leader, Strike Kills 90

Facts

• Israel said on Saturday that it had attempted to kill Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas' military wing, in a targeted strike. Health officials said the strike killed at least 90 Palestinians and wounded nearly 300 more in an area Israel declared a humanitarian zone.¹
• Israel claimed that it had struck a compound being used by Rafa'a Salameh, the commander of Hamas' Khan Younis Brigade after Deif had visited the location. Israel said Salameh was killed in the strike but that it was 'still too early to summarize the results of the attack' regarding Deif's status.²
• Israel also claimed that several dozen Hamas operatives were in the area when it was targeted. Photographs allegedly from the scene showed the bodies of children and elderly individuals. Israel has tried to assassinate Deif several times since he took over Hamas' military wing.²
• A UN official at Gaza's Nasser Hospital described 'some of the most horrific scenes I have seen in my nine months in Gaza,' at the facility after the strike, adding that restrictions on assistance entering the strip hindered efforts to provide medical care.³
• Hamas said that Deif 'is well and directly overseeing' the operations of Hamas' military wing. In response, Israel said that the group was 'concealing the results.' Israel identified him and Hamas political leader Yahya Sinwar as the primary planners of the Oct. 7 attack that killed more than 1.1K people in Israel.⁴
• Hamas also said that cease-fire negotiations have continued despite the strike, though a spokesperson for the group said that 'there is no doubt that the horrific massacres will impact any efforts in the negotiations.' Previous reports said Hamas had pulled out of the talks.⁵
• Hamas also said that cease-fire negotiations have continued despite the strike, though a spokesperson for the group said that 'there is no doubt that the horrific massacres will impact any efforts in the negotiations.' Previous reports said Hamas had pulled out of the talks.⁶

Sources: ¹Associated Press, ²Timesofisrael, ³CBS, ⁴Al Jazeera, ⁵Voice of America and ⁶France 24.

Narratives

• Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by Jerusalem Post. This precision strike should thoroughly demonstrate to Hamas' leaders that their days are numbered. Sinwar will be forced to scramble as one of his main advisors has likely been neutralized. The group is now one step closer to defeat, and the military is effectively applying pressure on Hamas that will directly translate to further concessions in hostage talks.
• Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Middle East Eye. Israel has provided no evidence that this strike targeted Deif, and it's more than likely that this was a desperate move to derail negotiations and score political points. Both a gas complex and a water desalination plant were hit, making it seem that Israel's real intention was to worsen the already bad humanitarian situation in Gaza. Such genocidal violence wouldn't be possible without shameful US support.

Predictions