Israel Defense Minister Yoaf ·Gallant announced on August 1 that Israel had successfully killed Hamas military chief Muhammad ·Deif in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis in mid-July.
Diff is believed to be the main mastermind of Hamas's surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Gallant's statement
Gallant called Div "Gaza's Osama·· bin Laden, comparing it to the mastermind of the terrorist attacks that United States suffered in 2001. He further said that the killing of Diff on July 13 was "an important milestone in the dismantling of Hamas as the military and ruling authority in Gaza and in achieving the objectives of this war."
Statement by the Israel military
The Israel military issued a statement saying it believed Diff had been killed based on intelligence assessments, but did not provide further details. Israel has tried to kill Diff on several occasions, including one that killed at least 90 people, but the fate of Div has not been confirmed. Hamas has neither confirmed nor denied Div's death.
Div's background
Diff has escaped several assassination attempts by Israel. In 2014, Israel bombed his home, killing his wife and infant son. When Hamas began its assault on Israel last October, Diff delivered a recorded speech declaring that the Hamas operation was intended to make "the enemy understand that the era of impunity for their impunity is over."
Israel's actions
Gallant said the July operation "was carried out precisely and professionally by the Israel Defense Forces and the Israel Security Service," stressing that "the operation reflects the fact that Hamas is disintegrating and that Hamas terrorists either surrender or are eliminated." ”
Regional tensions have escalated
Div's death is the third in a recent series of attacks against prominent anti-Israeli militants. This was preceded by an air strike Israel an Allah party building in Beirut, killing Allah party commander Fouad Shukur · Fouad Shukur. Subsequently, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran ·.
International reaction
Allah ·leader Hassan Nasrallah said in a speech on Thursday that Israel's actions "represent a dangerous escalation" and warned that Israel would pay for it. Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah ·Ali · Ali Khamenei presided over Hania's funeral and ordered a direct strike against Israel in retaliation for Chania's killing.
United States and the position of the United Nations
United States Secretary of State Antony · Blinken called for calm in the Middle East and stressed the need to break the cycle of violence. UN Secretary-General António · Guterres warned that the assassination of Haniyeh and Israel's killing of Shukur in Beirut "represent a dangerous escalation."
Israel's position
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin · Netanyahu said Israel would deal a heavy blow to any aggression against him on any front, but did not directly mention the assassination of Chania.
conclusion
With the killing of Diff, the leadership within Hamas has suffered another heavy blow. The incident not only deepened hostility between Israel and Hamas, but also increased tensions throughout the Middle East. The international community is closely following developments and calls on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid further deterioration of the situation.