Netanyahu lacks confidence in elimination of organizer of attack on Israel
Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu (photo: Getty Images)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he is not certain of the successful elimination of Hamas leader Mohammed Deif and his deputy Rafaa Salameh during today's strike by the IDF in Gaza, reports Times of Israel.
However, regardless, he stated, Israel will remove all Hamas leadership.
Speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Defense headquarters in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu said he approved the strike after ensuring there were no hostages in the area and receiving information about potential collateral damage and the ammunition that would be used.
"Muhammed Deif is the arch-murderer, the Hamas chief of staff, number two in the chain of command. Deif is the architect and leader of the massacre on October 7, and of many other terror attacks. His hands are dripping in the blood of many Israelis," Netanyahu said.
Meanwhile, Hamas deputy leader Khalil al-Hayya told Al Jazeera that Muhammad Deif is alive.
"You have failed. Mohammad Deif is listening to you now and mocking your false, empty statements," al-Hayya said.
On Saturday morning, an airstrike was launched in the southern Gaza Strip. According to Israeli military sources, the targets were Hamas military wing commander Muhammad Deif and another senior commander of the group.
The Times of Israel reported that both were struck with heavy ammunition from the air while inside a building between the Al-Mawasi area and Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, not in a tunnel.
New peace plan
Recently, Hamas initially approved the US-supported proposal for a phased ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The group abandoned its key demand, which required Israel to completely halt hostilities.
Specifically, due to Israel's reluctance to cease military actions until the complete removal of all Hamas leadership, the first peace plan failed.
