U.S. Ambassador to Israel Jack Liu informed representatives of the American Jewish community that there is a high probability Israel has successfully eliminated Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas's militant wing.
"There are still many questions about the strike on Mohammed Deif. I cannot confirm if it was successful, but there are many signs that the intended target was hit," he said.
Israeli intelligence reported that Muhammad Deif, the leader of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas's military wing), was at the site near Khan Yunis targeted by the IDF Air Force on July 13. Rafa Salameh, the commander of the Khan Yunis Brigade of Hamas, was also present and was declared killed.
However, Hamas Politburo member Khalil al-Haya denied reports of Deif's death in an interview with Al Jazeera. "I told Netanyahu: 'Muhammad Deif is listening to you now and ridiculing your false statements,'" he said.
