In a meticulously planned operation, Israel pursued one of Hamas' most enigmatic figures, Mohammed Deif. The strike, which took place on Saturday in southern Gaza, was the culmination of weeks of intense surveillance focused on a compound used by Rafa'a Salameh, one of Deif's key lieutenants.
According to three senior Israeli defense officials who spoke to The New York Times, the operation centered on a secret command post west of Khan Yunis. The target was a villa surrounded by palm trees near the Mediterranean Sea, owned by Salameh's family. Intelligence suggested that Salameh had increased his presence at this location in recent months, as Israeli forces had overrun many of his other strongholds in Khan Younis, both above and below ground.
The villa served as a respite for Salameh, his family, and other militants from the claustrophobic conditions of Hamas' underground tunnel network. This pattern of movement caught the attention of an Israeli unit specializing in high-value target identification, comprised of operatives from both military intelligence and the Shin Bet.
Despite detecting Salameh's presence weeks ago, Israeli leadership made the strategic decision to delay action. Their gamble was that patience might yield an even bigger prize: Mohammed Deif himself. This calculated risk was based on growing evidence suggesting an unusual level of trust between Deif and Salameh, including a recently uncovered photograph showing the two relaxing together in a garden.
The pivotal moment came on Friday when Israeli intelligence received information indicating Deif's presence at Salameh's compound. This crucial intelligence was quickly relayed up the chain of command, ultimately reaching Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who authorized the strike overnight Friday.
By Saturday morning, Israeli fighter jets were in action, targeting not only the villa but also nearby facilities potentially designated for casualty management. The IDF and Shin Bet have confirmed the elimination of Salameh in the strike. However, as of Sunday, there was no confirmation regarding Deif's fate.
Hamas, for its part, has denied the Israeli claims, stating that the strike only harmed innocent civilians and that no Hamas leaders were affected.
This operation marks a significant development in Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas, although questions remain about the strike's effectiveness and its potential impact on Hamas' leadership structure.
* Channel 14 News and Arutz Sheva contributed to this article.