Israeli army announces Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif killed in Gaza in July

"The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) announces that on July 13th, 2024, IDF fighter jets struck in the area of Khan Yunis, and following an intelligence assessment, it can be confirmed that Mohammed Deif was eliminated in the strike," the military said.

Deif is believed to have been one of the planners of Hamas' October 7 attack on southern Israel, which started the Gaza war, now ongoing for 300 days.

“Deif initiated, planned, and executed the October 7th massacre,” the military statement added.

The announcement coincided with crowds gathering in Tehran for the funeral of Haniyeh.