New Evidence Suggests Death of Qassam Brigades Leader

Destruction at a site targeted by Israel in Mawasi near Khan Younis on July 13 as part of an operation targeting Qassam leader Mohammed Deif. (AFP)
Destruction at a site targeted by Israel in Mawasi near Khan Younis on July 13 as part of an operation targeting Qassam leader Mohammed Deif. (AFP)
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New Evidence Suggests Death of Qassam Brigades Leader

Destruction at a site targeted by Israel in Mawasi near Khan Younis on July 13 as part of an operation targeting Qassam leader Mohammed Deif. (AFP)
Destruction at a site targeted by Israel in Mawasi near Khan Younis on July 13 as part of an operation targeting Qassam leader Mohammed Deif. (AFP)

Hamas sources have indicated that new evidence points to the assassination of Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades. Israel had previously claimed responsibility for Deif’s death, though Hamas initially denied it.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, sources close to Deif confirmed that contact with him was lost following an Israeli attack on July 13, 2024, which targeted both Deif and Rafah Salameh, a Qassam commander in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.

The sources said a partial body believed to be Deif's was found at the strike site days after the attack, though severe damage made identification difficult. Samples were taken from the body, and it was later buried in Khan Younis.

Tests on these samples reportedly confirmed the remains likely belonged to Deif, but disfigurement left some doubt among his family and associates.

However, after prolonged silence and a complete communication cutoff, Qassam leaders are now convinced Deif was killed.

The delay in confirming Deif’s death, the sources explained, was due to security challenges and limited communication options. Known for his secrecy, Deif was often called "the man of the shadows," which complicated efforts to verify his fate.

Sources say two people, including a “courier” who carried messages between Qassam Brigades leaders, were questioned on suspicion of helping Israel locate Deif and Salameh.

The courier, a Rafah resident, reportedly worked with another messenger from Khan Younis who knew Salameh’s locations and regularly delivered messages to him.

Details on the investigation or whether these individuals were linked to the assassination have not been disclosed.

The July 13 attack, which involved a series of intense airstrikes, killed nearly 90 Palestinians in Khan Younis.

Hours after the strikes, sources confirmed the death of Salameh, the Khan Younis brigade commander, who was buried by relatives and Qassam members. Reports suggested Israel used 2,000-pound bombs in the operation.

Hamas has repeatedly denied Deif’s death, insisting he is alive and still commands the Qassam Brigades. However, Israel has consistently maintained he was killed, with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant officially announcing his death on Aug. 1.



Israeli Military Denies Strike on Gaza Vaccination Clinic

Palestinians fill containers with clean water in the midst of the devastation in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on November 3, 2024. (AFP)
Palestinians fill containers with clean water in the midst of the devastation in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on November 3, 2024. (AFP)
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Israeli Military Denies Strike on Gaza Vaccination Clinic

Palestinians fill containers with clean water in the midst of the devastation in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on November 3, 2024. (AFP)
Palestinians fill containers with clean water in the midst of the devastation in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on November 3, 2024. (AFP)

The Israeli military denied on Monday that it had hit a clinic in the northern Gaza Strip where health workers were carrying out polio vaccinations.

On Saturday, the Gaza health ministry said Israeli fire had hit the Sheikh Radwan clinic as parents brought their children in to be vaccinated. It said four children had been wounded in the explosion, which took place during an agreed humanitarian pause to allow the campaign to go ahead.

The military said it was aware of the reports but said an initial review showed its forces had not carried out any strikes when the incident took place.

"Contrary to the claims, an initial review determined that the IDF did not strike in the area at the specified time," it said in a statement.

The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the incident had taken place just after a WHO team was at the clinic and that it had endangered a vital health protection campaign.

"These vital humanitarian-area-specific pauses must be absolutely respected. Ceasefire!" he said in a statement on the social media platform X on Saturday.

The Israeli military accused the Palestinian group Hamas of deliberately operating out of civilian areas to use people as human shields, a charge that Hamas denies.

With access to the area cut off and communications patchy, outside verification of the assertions of either side has become increasingly difficult.