Raid on Khan Younes Leaves Casualties as Israeli Media Says Mohamed al-Deif Was Target
(AWP) - The Israeli army targeted Mohamed al-Deif, the commander of the Ezz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), in a massive attack on the area of al-Mawasi, western Khan Younes, southern Gaza Strip, according to Israeli media.
Rafie Salameh, the commander of Hamas’ Khan Younes division, was in the company of Deif during the attack, reported the Times of Israel newspaper.
According to the health ministry in Gaza, more than 71 people were killed in the Israeli attack on Mawasi Khan Younes.
In an area of displaced persons’ camps in Mawasi Khan Younes, where the bombardment took place, a displaced Palestinian man of the name Abu Ahmed al-Sheikh termed the attack as a “bloodbath.”
“This was considered to be the safest region. We have been displaced to it five months ago. All of the dead were women and children. The bodies scattered on the ground. What wrong did this woman or those elderly people do? Dead children are under the rubble. This is ridiculous! This must be stopped,” he said.
“I appeal to all nations with conscience, being Arab or European, and the UN Security Council to intervene to stop this bloodbath. Everywhere in sight there are bodies,” he added.
“A large number of people, including women, children, mostly crippled and elderly, were killed. We recovered their torn body parts from under the rubble. Where is conscience?” he complained.
Speaking on the conditions of the people in the Gaza Strip prior to the Israeli war, Sheikh said, “Our houses, lives and all that we had have gone! We lived so well, but now we are under zero.”
A total of 38,443 Palestinians were killed and 88,481 others wounded since Israel waged war on the enclave on October 7, 2023, the health ministry in Gaza announced on Saturday.