Netanyahu: It is unclear whether Mohammed Deif has been killed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a press conference at the Ministry of Defense headquarters in Tel Aviv following an attack by his military in the Al-Mawasi area of the Gaza Strip that killed 90 Palestinians.

Netanyahu addressed the claim that the attack targeted Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas's armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. Stating that it is not yet clear whether Deif was killed, Netanyahu said that Israel would pursue its war goals to the end.

"We will reach all of Hamas's leaders one way or another," Netanyahu said, arguing that increasing military pressure on Hamas would improve the chances of reaching an agreement for the return of Israeli hostages. Stating that Israel would not compromise on its fundamental demands for a deal, Netanyahu said, "I have not moved a millimeter from the framework agreement presented by President Biden. I am not allowing Hamas to move a millimeter either."

The Israeli Prime Minister reiterated the conditions for a deal, stating, "The right to return to the battlefield until all goals are achieved, preventing the smuggling of weapons to Hamas through Egypt, which means maintaining our control over the Philadelphi Corridor. The return of as many living hostages as possible in the first round of negotiations."

"I GAVE MY APPROVAL FOR THE ATTACK"

Netanyahu said, "When the Shin Bet presented the details of the operation to me at midnight, I wanted to know three things. First, I wanted to know that according to intelligence, there were no hostages in their vicinity. Second, I wanted to know the extent of the damage that would be caused. Third, I wanted to know the types of weapons that would be used in the attack. When I received answers that put my mind at ease, I gave my approval for the action (attack) and said good luck."

90 PALESTINIANS LOST THEIR LIVES

90 Palestinians lost their lives in the attack where Israel struck civilians.

In a statement, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza announced that the number of people who lost their lives in the attack, in which Israel targeted displaced civilians in Al-Mawasi, west of the city of Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip—an area previously declared a "safe zone"—had risen to 90, and the number of injured had reached 300. It was reported that half of those who lost their lives were women and children, and that there were dozens of women and children among the injured.

"THE CLAIM THAT DEIF WAS TARGETED IS NOT TRUE"

In a statement made by the Media Office of the government in the Gaza Strip, it was stated that Israel was spreading false news that Mohammed Deif was targeted in order to distort the attack it carried out on the Al-Mawasi area. The statement said, "The Israeli occupation is spreading false news to divert attention from its failed attempt to justify the horrific massacre committed in Al-Mawasi."

NO INFORMATION SHARED

While the Israeli army claimed that Mohammed Deif was targeted in the attack, it did not share information on whether he had been killed. Abu Zuhri, one of the senior officials of Hamas, denied the claim that Deif was targeted in the attack in his statement, stating that all those who lost their lives were civilians and that the attack showed that Israel did not want to reach a ceasefire agreement.

HAMAS POLITICAL BUREAU MEMBER: DEIF WAS NOT KILLED

Hamas Political Bureau member Khalil al-Hayya denied the claim that Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas's armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, was targeted in Israel's attack on Al-Mawasi, and addressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Al-Hayya said, "Deif was not killed, he is mocking your statements."

Hamas Political Bureau member Khalil al-Hayya spoke to the Qatar-based Al Jazeera television regarding the claim that Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas's armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, was targeted in Israel's attack on Al-Mawasi. Al-Hayya said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted to declare a "fake victory" by announcing the assassination attempt on Deif at the press conference he held. Emphasizing that Israel's claims that it targeted Deif were baseless, al-Hayya said, "Mohammed Deif's blood is not more valuable than the blood of the smallest Palestinian child. Still, we say to Netanyahu, 'You have failed.' Mohammed Deif is listening to you now and mocking your false, empty statements."

Al-Hayya said, "The conditions presented by Netanyahu are clear proof that he does not want a deal, does not want the Israeli hostages, and does not want to stop this war in the region."

In the airstrike carried out by Israel on Al-Mawasi, tents where displaced civilians were staying were targeted, 90 Palestinians lost their lives, and 300 Palestinians were injured.

News Source: İHA