On July 13, 2024, Mohammad Deif, the elusive leader of Hamas’ military wing, emerged from the tunnels in his stronghold of Khan Yunis to meet with Rafa’a Salameh, the commander of the Khan Yunis brigade. Saudi sources revealed that an intelligence breach within Deif’s inner circle provided Israel with critical information about his movements, leading to a rare opportunity for his elimination through a coordinated operation involving signals intelligence (SIGINT) and human intelligence (HUMINT).
Speaking at Palmachim Airbase, IDF Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Herzl Halevi, attributed the success of the operation to the advanced intelligence capabilities of the ISA and the Intelligence Directorate (J2), combined with the precise execution by the Israeli Air Force. The mission was conducted with extraordinary secrecy, with Israeli forces even refraining from notifying their U.S. counterparts to prevent any leaks.
Deif, known for his ability to evade capture, rarely emerged from his tunnels. His sense of security likely stemmed from ongoing hostage negotiations and the designation of West Khan Yunis as a safe zone, leading him to believe he could move freely in the densely populated area. Israel had previously avoided targeting Deif in the deep tunnels of Khan Yunis, fearing he might survive such an attack. Salameh met Deif outside the tunnels to avoid compromising his hiding place, where Deif was directing ongoing operations and likely discussing future plans with Salameh.
Following the strike, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that before approving the operation, he ensured there were no hostages nearby, assessed the extent of collateral damage, and confirmed the type of weapons used. The operation’s precision strike initially targeted the section of the building where Deif and Salameh were located, followed by a second bomb that demolished the entire structure. The IDF established a belt of fire around the sector to prevent rescue efforts and used bunker-penetrating ordnance to ensure no escape through tunnels beneath the compound. This operation reportedly involved the largest amount of explosives ever used in an Israeli targeted elimination, with the kill zone estimated to have a 50-meter radius. Videos from the scene depicted significant devastation, with individuals buried under meters of dirt up to 40 meters away from the blast.
Lieutenant General Halevi explained that Deif’s intense fear of death led him to hide in ways that impaired his command capabilities, using civilians as shields. Rumors suggest Deif’s body is held in a Khan Yunis hospital, but confirmation is pending. Halevi emphasized that intelligence indicated no hostages were present in the compound during the strike.
Mohammad Sinwar, the younger brother of Yahya Sinwar, is expected to succeed Deif as the head of Hamas’ military wing. This elimination represents a significant blow to Hamas, affecting its operational capabilities and symbolic strength. Deif’s ability to evade Israeli forces for decades had bolstered his legendary status within Hamas, and his death leaves a void impacting both the group’s morale and operational coherence. Internationally, Deif was an iconic figure of the Palestinian cause, and his death has far-reaching implications for the Palestinian narrative.
Chief of Staff Halevi reaffirmed the IDF’s commitment to pursuing senior Hamas officials responsible for attacks on civilians, emphasizing the role of high-quality intelligence in these operations. He stressed the importance of these eliminations in dismantling Hamas and creating conditions for hostage negotiations. Halevi concluded with a resolute vow to continue targeting those next in line, ensuring the ongoing military pressure on Hamas.