Top Hamas military leader killed in mid-July strike, IDF claims

Intelligence checks found that Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif was killed by a strike on Khan Yunis nearly three weeks prior, the Israel Defense Forces said Thursday. Dief planned and executed several terror plots against Israel, including Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. Deif also masterminded the tunnel system used by Hamas beneath civilian areas in Gaza, the IDF said. The Israeli Air Force’s July 13 strike killed not only Deif but also Hamas’ Khan Yunis Brigade commander Rafe Salama and other terrorists, according to the IDF.

Hours after confirming Deif’s death, Israeli counter-terrorism forces announced the arrest of two dozen terror members in central Israel. The IDF eliminated top Hezbollah leader Fuad Shukr “Sayyid Muhsan” in a Tuesday strike on Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon. Muhsan planned the aerial strike that killed 12 children playing soccer in Northern Israel on Saturday, along with other attacks. The United States also had a $5 million bounty on his head for involvement in the murder of over 200 American soldiers in Lebanon in 1983.

Israel has struck crushing blows against Hezbollah and Hamas with these operations, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an address shared late Wednesday night. Whoever attacks Israel will pay the price, he added.

Hamas’ top political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in a Wednesday strike in Tehran, the capital city of Iran. As of Thursday morning, Israel had neither confirmed or denied involvement in that attack.

Will this bring a cease-fire closer? Leaders have not publicly discussed how Israel’s recent operations may affect cease-fire negotiations. Israel has received more threats since the strike on Beruit and challenging days are ahead, Netanyahu said in his address. The prime minister reiterated the country’s continued resolve to not end the war until the hostages are released and Hamas’ military is eliminated.

Dig deeper: Read Lauren Canterberry’s report for more on the death of Hamas negotiator Ismail Haniyeh.