Israeli media claims Al-Qassam Bridge commander was target of attack on Palestinian camps in Gaza

By Zein Khalil

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israeli media claimed on Saturday that the Israeli army's attack on displaced people's tents in the southern Gaza Strip was intended to eliminate Mohammed Deif, the commander-in-chief of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas.

At least 20 Palestinians were killed and over 90 injured in the attack, the Gaza Health Ministry said earlier Saturday.

“The target of the attack that occurred this morning, Saturday, on a displaced tent complex near Khan Younis was Mohammed Deif,” daily Israel Hayom claimed, without providing any evidence.

“It is estimated that there is a high likelihood that Deif was injured in the attack, but military officials are awaiting the outcome,” it added.

Meanwhile, Israeli Army Radio also claimed that the attack targeted an "important figure" in Hamas, but the outcome is still unknown.

The Al-Qassam Brigades did not immediately respond to the Israeli media claims.

Israel, flouting a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, has faced international condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive on Gaza since an Oct. 7 attack by Hamas.

More than 38,300 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and nearly 88,300 injured, according to local health authorities.

Over nine months into the Israeli war, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, whose latest ruling ordered it to immediately halt its military operation in the southern city of Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.

* Writing by Ikram Kouachi