TEL AVIV, 01 August. - (ANA) - The head of Hamas' military wing, Mohammed Deif, was killed in an IDF airstrike in Gaza last month, Israel has confirmed.

 

The Israeli military confirmed Deif’s death on Thursday, a day after Hamas's political leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran.

 

"The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) announces that on July 13th, 2024, IDF fighter jets struck in the area of Khan Yunis, and following an intelligence assessment, it can be confirmed that Mohammed Deif was eliminated in the strike," the military said.

 

Hamas did not immediately respond to the Israeli announcement, which came as crowds gathered in Tehran for the funeral procession of Hamas' leader Ismail Haniyeh.

 

Deif is believed to have been one of the masterminds of Hamas' October 7 attack on southern Israel, which triggered the Gaza war, now in its 300th day.

 

One of Hamas' most dominant figures, Deif rose through the group's ranks over 30 years, developing its network of tunnels and its bomb-making expertise.

 

He has topped Israel's most wanted list for decades, held personally responsible for the deaths of dozens of Israelis in suicide bombings.

 

Earlier this week, Israel also claimed to have killed the Hezbollah commander it said was behind a deadly strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/01 August 2024 - - -