Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Saturday that the latter issued a permanent directive requiring the liquidation of senior Hamas officials.
The office explained that the Prime Minister was briefed on all developments overnight and continues to receive regular updates.
Netanyahu is scheduled to conduct an assessment of the situation with security and military officials to discuss developments and next steps.
Israeli media reported that the Air Force intensively attacked several sites in Khan Yunis with the aim of eliminating the commander of the Al-Qassam Brigades, Muhammad Al-Deif.
Israeli Army Radio indicated that "the guest was hiding in an above-ground location within the humanitarian zone west of Khan Yunis."
She added, "Rafi Salama, commander of the Khan Yunis Brigade, was among the targets of the Israeli strike."
Israeli media quoted the Shin Bet as saying: “Muhammad Al-Deif and Rafi Salama were above the ground at the time of the attack in Khan Yunis.”
She explained: "We tried to eliminate the guest and the estimates are that there were no hostages near him."
For its part, the Israeli newspaper "Maariv" said: "The security services are optimistic about the results of the operation, according to what is known. During the night, the General Security Service provided information that the guest arrived at a tent complex in the Mawasi area and was hiding inside the complex."
It also stated: “The Israeli army decided not to take any risks, and a number of fighter planes carried out a large-scale bombing campaign that included dropping tens of tons of bombs from fighter planes.”
Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper indicated that "military officials believe that Muhammad al-Deif was likely seriously injured in the attack."
On the other hand, Hamas said on Saturday that the Israeli attack on Khan Yunis shows its lack of interest in a ceasefire, noting that talk of targeting military commander Muhammad al-Deif is incorrect.
Hamas leader Sami Abu Zuhri said that the report broadcast on Israeli Army Radio stating that the raid on Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip on Saturday targeted the leader of the movement’s military wing, Muhammad al-Deif, is “empty talk.”
Abu Zuhri added to Reuters: “All the victims are civilians, and what is happening is a dangerous escalation of the war of extermination in light of American support and global silence. This is a practical message from the occupation that it is not concerned with any agreement.”
Hamas medical sources reported that at least 71 people were killed in the Israeli attack on Khan Yunis and 289 others were injured.
The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip denounced in a statement: “The occupation’s heinous massacre against citizens and displaced people.”
Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Basal said: “There are still many bodies of victims scattered in the streets, under the rubble, and among the tents of the displaced. They cannot be reached due to the large scale of bombing with which the occupation targeted the places and tents of the displaced,” describing what happened as “a new massacre.”
The Israeli army said it was investigating reports from Gaza that dozens had been killed in raids near Khan Yunis.
Comments