Hamas military chief Deif, mastermind of October 7 attack, eliminated, says Israel

NEW DELHI: The Israeli army announced on Thursday that it has 'eliminated' the mastermind of the October 7 attack, Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, in an airstrike carried out on July 13.
"The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) announces that on July 13th, 2024, IDF fighter jets struck in the area of Khan Yunis, and following an intelligence assessment, it can be confirmed that Mohammed Deif was eliminated in the strike," the military said.

Deif is believed to be the masterminds of Hamas' October 7 attack on southern Israel, which triggered the Gaza war, now in its 300th day. He had topped Israel's most wanted list for decades, held personally responsible for the deaths of dozens of Israelis in suicide bombings.
One of Hamas' most dominant figures, Deif rose through the group's ranks over 30 years, developing its network of tunnels and its bomb-making expertise.

Deif had survived seven previous Israeli assassination attempts, the most recent in 2021. In the months since Oct. 7, he was believed to have been directing military operations from the tunnels and backstreets of Gaza, alongside senior colleagues.
The announcement comes a day after Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed. he and other leaders of Iranian-backed militant groups had attended the inauguration of Iran's new president.

The announcement comes a day after Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed. he and other leaders of Iranian-backed militant groups had attended the inauguration of Iran's new president.
Born as Mohammad Masri in 1965 in the Khan Younis Refugee Camp set up after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the militant leader became known as Mohammed Deif after joining Hamas during the first Intifada, or Palestinian uprising, which began in 1987.