A strike Israel said targeted Hamas commanders in southern Gaza killed at least 71 people, local health officials said Saturday.
Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif and Rafa Salama, a second Hamas commander, were the intended targets, Israel said. Hamas rejected Israel's claim that Dief was targeted and it's not yet known if he is among the dead, The Associated Press reported.
The strike hit Al-Mawasi, a designated humanitarian safe zone in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians were taking refuge.
Deif is said to be the person who crafted the Oct. 7 plan and attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and sparked the ongoing war. He has been on Israel’s most wanted list for years, The AP noted.
If he is among the dead, cease-fire talks could be derailed because it could be seen as a major Israeli victory, according to the news wire.
In the past, Deif has survived seven Israeli assassination attempts, Reuters reported.
At least 71 Palestinians were killed in the airstrike and 289 were injured, marking the deadliest action in several weeks, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
“A number of victims are still under the rubble and on the roads, and ambulance and civil defense crews are unable to reach them,” the Health Ministry said, per The AP.
The Israeli military alleged terrorists hid among civilians.
According to footage The AP assessed, the strike left a huge crater, charred tents, burnt-out cars and household belongings strewn about.
An Israeli military official said in an online briefing the area was not a complex of tents but a Hamas compound where militants were guarding Deif, Reuters reported.
Israel’s counteroffensive has killed more than 38,400 people and wounded more than 88,000 since the Oct.7 attack, according to the Health Ministry.
