90 Killed in Israeli Strike Targeting Hamas Leaders

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reports that at least 90 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli air strike on a designated humanitarian area. Around 300 people were injured in the attack, which Israel claims targeted senior Hamas leader Mohammed Deif and his deputy Rafa Salama.

During a news conference on Saturday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated there was “no certainty” that either of the targeted leaders had been killed. The strike occurred in the al-Mawasi area near Khan Younis, a zone designated by the Israeli military as a humanitarian area.

Netanyahu confirmed he gave the order for the operation after consulting with his general security forces. He sought assurance that there were no hostages nearby, understood the extent of collateral damage, and knew what types of weapons would be used before wishing the forces “the best of luck.”

Netanyahu vowed to eradicate all senior members of Hamas, saying, “Either way, we will get to the whole of the leadership of Hamas.” An Israeli military official stated the strike took place in an “open area” with “no civilians” and refused to confirm whether it was inside a designated safe zone. The official accused Hamas of cynically setting up in civilian areas and claimed “accurate intelligence” was gathered before the “precision strike.”

Hamas refuted Israel’s claims that their leaders were the targets, stating, “It is not the first time Israel claims to target Palestinian leaders, only to be proven false later.”