An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) airstrike conducted on Saturday morning in the southern Gaza Strip has significantly impacted Hamas’s leadership structure. Rafa’a Salameh, commander of Hamas’s Khan Younis Brigade, was killed, and Muhammad Deif, commander of Hamas’s military wing, was seriously injured. This military action marks a critical point in ongoing hostilities between Hamas and Israeli forces.

The strike, which occurred in the Al-Mawasi area, close to Khan Younis, also led to substantial civilian casualties. According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, the incident resulted in at least 71 Palestinian deaths and 289 injuries, although these figures remain unverified. The IDF asserts that the strike was aimed at eliminating top Hamas commanders, citing the strategic significance of the targeted location.

Senior Hamas official Abu Zuhri has contested the IDF’s narrative, labeling the operation as a severe escalation and accusing it of targeting civilians under the guise of combatting Hamas leadership. “All the martyrs are civilians and what happened was a grave escalation of the war of genocide, backed by American support and world silence,” Abu Zuhri told Reuters.

Muhammad Deif, having been on Israel’s most-wanted list for years due to his alleged role in orchestrating significant Hamas strikes against Israeli targets, including the October 7 incident that escalated current tensions, has survived multiple assassination attempts by Israeli forces in the past.

The IDF had previously directed hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to seek refuge in the Al-Mawasi area, an instruction that came shortly before the area was targeted. The Israeli military contends that the strike was a necessary measure against Hamas, claiming that several dozen Hamas members were present at the site, including guards.

Eyewitness videos from the scene show significant destruction, including a large crater and extensive smoke plumes, as emergency responders and bystanders worked frantically to manage the aftermath and evacuate the wounded.

This incident underscores the ongoing severe humanitarian and security challenges in the region, with each act of violence adding layers of complexity to an already tense situation between Israel and Gaza.

  Airstrike, civilian casualties, Gaza Strip, Hamas, IDF, Israeli-Palestinian Conflict