In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict, an Israeli airstrike on Saturday reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 90 Palestinians in Gaza, most of whom are thought to be militants. The strike, aimed at the elusive Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, has triggered a wave of controversy and strategic recalculations. Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, addressed the nation late Saturday, expressing uncertainty over whether Deif and another senior Hamas commander, Rafa Salameh, were killed in the operation. Netanyahu pledged to maintain pressure on Hamas leadership, stating that increased military pressure would enhance the prospects of a hostage deal, despite stalled cease-fire talks.
"Either way, we will get to the whole of the leadership of Hamas," Netanyahu asserted, reinforcing Israel's resolve to dismantle Hamas's command structure.
Hamas Denies Claims Amidst Chaos
In an attempt to deflect what could be a significant moral and tactical defeat, Hamas almost immediately and vehemently denied that Deif was present in the targeted area. The group tried to frame the attack as a "horrific massacre" and dismissed Israel's claims as a cover-up. The strike occurred in an area that the Palestinians claim was designated by Israel as a safe zone for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. However, the location of the building was outside the safe-zone. Within minutes of the blast, videos surfaced on Gaza-based Telegram channels showing a massive crater and intact tents surrounding the impact site that dispel Hamas claims of an attack on the humanitarian zone. These videos clearly show the blast site and the areas around it which suggest the use of precision targeting by the Israelis.
It appears there’s nothing left but dust of Mohammed Deif, the top military commander of HMS — the #2 man in Gaza.
— Marina Medvin 🇺🇸 (@MarinaMedvin) July 13, 2024
Israel targeted him and 70 of his men, according to reports. None appear to have survived.
While official confirmation of the success of the operation is pending,… pic.twitter.com/4QHYLbk92x
The Ambiguity of Victory
While Israel remains cautious about declaring a victory, there is a muted sense of optimism and confidence. Netanyahu emphasized the lack of absolute certainty regarding the deaths of Deif and Salameh, adding to the ambiguity surrounding the strike's success. Meanwhile, a senior Hamas official confidently claimed that Deif is alive and well, continuing to oversee Hamas's military operations. Analysts on Israeli news channels argue that if Deif was in fact killed, it would hand Israel a key victory and it is not uncommon for Palestinian militant groups to mislead in order to avoid doing so.
It is also possible that Deif's body has not yet been uncovered in the ruins of the building. As of Sunday morning, Palestinians in Gaza were still combing through the crater and digging in the sand which is an indicator that they are still looking for someone of importance. In other strikes, the Palestinians in Gaza have not spent the time digging up the entire blast site, and admits this when providing deaths saying many are still buried in the rubble. The fact heavy equipment was brought in to continue digging leads some to believe they are looking for someone specific and most likely, someone of importance.
The Symbolic and Tactical Implications
If Deif has indeed been eliminated, it would constitute a monumental blow to Hamas both symbolically and practically. Deif, a figure of near-mythical status among his supporters, has been a prime target for Israel. He symbolizes Hamas's anti-Israel ideology and has been instrumental in orchestrating attacks and coordinating military operations.
This is the video showing the massive IDF airstrike yesterday which supposedly killed Mohammed Deif in Gaza.
— Documenting Israel (@DocumentIsrael) July 14, 2024
Deif is Hamas' second in command and has survived many previous assassination attempts pic.twitter.com/dheEdIbmIx
Deif's elimination would not only deal a significant symbolic defeat to Hamas but also undermine its military capabilities. His leadership in planning and executing operations, including the devastating attacks on October 7, has been crucial to Hamas's strategy. Without Deif, Hamas's coordination and tactical prowess would suffer a severe setback.
A Major Practical Loss
Beyond the symbolic impact, Deif's death would have significant practical implications. He has been pivotal in preparing Hamas's infrastructure, weaponry, and tactics, aiming to challenge Israel's military. His absence would hinder Hamas's ability to rebuild and regroup after the conflict. Deif is a symbol of Palestinian sovereignty amongst the Hamas failthful - the image of a man with nine lives who has survived assassination attempts as he fights the evil Zionists to help reclaim the land of his ancestors. But, his real name shows just how removed his ancestors were from the land. Deif is a nickname given to him after the first assassination attempt, his real name is Al-Masri, which means "the Egyptian". Arab surnames often tell from where and whom a person comes from, Al-Masri is quite common in Gaza as the Strip used to be a part of Egypt up until 1967 when Israel pushed the Egyptian forces back. In the peace deal between Israel and Egypt in the late 1970s, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat refused to take the Strip, and instead divided Rafah, Gaza's southern city in half, with one part on Israel's side and the other in Egypt. In 2014, after countless attacks by Hamas aligned militants in their Rafah, Egypt razed several kilometers of Rafah to clear the area of tunnels and smuggling routes.
Reminder that the head of the miliary wing of Hamas is going by the nickname "Mohammed Deif" instead of his real name which is "Mohammed Al-Masri" which literally translates to "Mohammed the Egyptian" pic.twitter.com/MMXFoCflJo
— 🇮🇱🌵🎗️ Mooning Knight🎗️ 🌵🇮🇱 (@IsraeliSabra) November 25, 2023
Conflicting Reports and Ongoing Uncertainty
According to reports from Saudi news outlet Asharq Al-Awsat, Hamas sources have confirmed the death of Rafa Salameh, the commander of the Khan Yunis Brigade, in the Israeli strike. Salameh's body was reportedly recovered and buried immediately. The IDF maintains that Deif was present at the site, though it has not confirmed his death. Hamas officials, however, continue to deny any harm to Deif, mocking Netanyahu's claims.
The Complex Landscape of Gaza
The airstrike targeted a site near Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, an area Hamas claims was a designated safe zone. While Hamas asserts that 90 people were killed, including civilians, the IDF contends that the strike was focused on a Hamas compound and that the majority of those killed were Hamas operatives. Independent media analysts suggest that Deif and Salameh were likely surrounded by elite Hamas fighters if they were indeed present at the site.
People don't really realize today is a historic day.
— Vivid.🇮🇱 (@VividProwess) July 13, 2024
Muhammed Deif, the commander of Hamas’s military wing and the number 2 leader of Hamas, is 99.9% likely dead.
Rafa’a Salameh, commander of Hamas’s Khan Younis Brigade, was also killed with him.
The end of Hamas is near. pic.twitter.com/ekXWsJKByR
As the situation remains fluid, the strike's full impact on Hamas and the broader conflict in Gaza continues to unfold. Israel's determination to dismantle Hamas's leadership stands in stark contrast to Hamas's efforts to maintain its command structure and narrative amidst the chaos.
