Israel said on Sunday that Rafa Salama, a senior commander of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, was confirmed dead in a deadly airstrike that Hamas-run health authorities in Gaza said hit a refugee camp, leaving at least 90 people dead.
Meanwhile, Hamas denied reports that negotiations on a ceasefire and the return of the remaining hostages were halted in the Qatari capital, Doha, following the attack.
Salama was a key target of Saturday’s attack, along with Mohammed Deif, leader of Hamas’s military wing in Gaza. The pair were described by Israel as “the masterminds of the October 7th massacre”, which triggered the current conflict.
An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) statement said Salama had been “eliminated” but made no mention of Deif.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously said there was still no absolute certainty about Deif’s fate, while a Hamas representative in the Lebanese capital Beirut said on Sunday that Deif had not been killed.
The IDF described Salama as one of Deif’s closest associates and said his death would seriously harm Hamas’ military capabilities. Salama commanded the Khan Younis Brigade in southern Gaza and was responsible for several rocket attacks carried out against Israel in recent years, the IDF said.
Palestinian doctors said Saturday’s attack killed at least 90 people and injured hundreds after tents for displaced people in the al-Mawasi camp were hit.
The IDF said the attack “was carried out in a fenced area controlled by Hamas and where, according to [IDF] information, only Hamas terrorists and no civilians were present.”
No breakdown in negotiations
Despite the deadly airstrike, Hamas said on Sunday that indirect negotiations were still ongoing.
According to Israeli media reports, the head of the Israeli foreign intelligence service, Daniel Barnea, plans to travel to Doha, the capital of Qatar, in the coming days for another round of talks.
The months-long negotiations focus on exchanging the remaining hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons, as well as a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict.
Indirect talks are progressing slowly, with Israel continuing to reject Hamas’ demand for a permanent ceasefire.
Also on Sunday, Israeli media reported that the Netanyahu government extended the duration of mandatory military service for Israeli men by four months due to the need for more manpower.
New recruits will now have to serve for 36 months – three full years – instead of the previous 32 months, according to a report by Israel’s Radio Kan. The two-year recruitment period for women remains unchanged.
The project still needs to be approved by the Knesset, the Israeli parliament.
