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(The Post News)- The Gaza Health Ministry announced that at least 90 Palestinians, including children, were killed and 300 injured on Saturday in the southern Gaza Strip during the deadliest massive strike by Israel on Hamas military targets.
The Israelis claimed they were targeting commander Chief Mohammed Deif, whom they believe masterminded the 7 October attack that led to the current war.
The injured people were taken to Nesser Hospital.
According to officials and medics, the hospital is now overcrowded, and their doctors are overwhelmed by the increase in casualties.
Eyewitnesses argued that they witnessed at least five big warplanes bombing in the middle of the Al Mawasi area and west of Khan Younis.
The attack comes at a delicate time of cease-fire negotiations. However, Hamas stated on Sunday that the Gaza cease-fire talks are still proceeding despite the Israeli military targeting Mohammed Deif. They added that Deif, their military commander, was in good health and denied that he was in the area at the time of the strike.
Deif, assumed to be paralyzed and recognizable to only a few people in Gaza, has remained hidden for over two decades. The only known picture of him, released by Israel, dates back to when he was around 30 years old.
The prime minister stated that Israel will continue the war until Hamas’ military capabilities are destroyed. He argued that killing Deif would be a significant step towards this goal, delivering a severe psychological blow to Hamas and potentially creating an opportunity for Netanyahu.
Hamas leaders have been marked for death.
The Israeli military also said that Rafa Salama, the senior Hamas commander, was killed during the attack on Saturday.
Hamas has not confirmed whether it is true or not.
Neighbouring Egypt, a mediator in cease-fire negotiations, condemned the attack.
The Foreign Ministry said that these current attacks on Palestinian citizens will create obstacles during the negotiations, criticising the shameful silence and the lack of action from the international community.
The U.S.-backed plan proposes an initial cease-fire with a limited hostage release and the withdrawal of the Israeli military from Gaza’s population areas. In the second phase, both sides would agree to a full hostage release in exchange for a permanent and complete withdrawal from Gaza.
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