Defense Minister Yoav Gallant approved the operation targeting senior Hamas leader Mohammad Deif overnight Saturday, convening IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar after midnight for special situation assessments based on final intelligence that Deif had surfaced from the tunnels, presenting a rare opportunity to eliminate him.
This crucial information on Deif and Salama's locations was provided by a special joint unit of Military Intelligence and Shin Bet, which specializes in gathering intelligence on senior Hamas figures and hostages' locations in the Gaza Strip.
Al Hadath, a Saudi network, reported that Hamas is investigating a "major internal breach" that led to the strike. The report suggests that Deif and other senior Hamas officials relocated multiple times in recent weeks to avoid Israeli surveillance.
Defense officials believe that Deif's excessive self-confidence played a role. Unlike Hamas in Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar, who was primarily concerned with his own survival, Deif actively participated in operational roles to continue the fighting.
* Ynet has contributed to this report