After decades of hunting him and multiple failed assassination attempts, “Israeli” military officials received verification that the commander of Hamas military wing Mohammad Deif was eliminated in the July 13 airstrike in Al-Mawasi Khan Younis in Gaza – according to Hebrew Channel 14. 

Deif was targeted in a massive strike at a building in Khan Younis, and was next to the Hamas Khan Younis Brigade Leader Rafa’a Salameh at the time.

The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) confirmed the death of Salameh, but have yet to officially confirm Deif’s death, although it said at an earlier time that signs of Deif’s death are “increasing.” 

“The signs are increasing as to the success of the elimination of Muhammad Deif,” IOF Spokesman Daniel Hagari said in response to a question at a press conference.

“Rafa’a Salameh was definitely eliminated. Deif and Salameh were next to each other at the time of the strike. Hamas is hiding what happened to Deif,” he said, referring to statements by Hamas officials saying that Deif is alive. 

Deif was the mastermind behind “Operation Aqsa Typhoon” on Oct. 7, 2023, and has been one of the most-wanted figures by “Israel” since 1995 for his involvement in several resistance operations in the 1990s and early 2000s.