Hamas Abandons Gaza Truce Talks Following Israeli Strike on Deif

On Sunday, a Hamas official announced that the group would cease participation in ceasefire discussions with Israel following an Israeli airstrike aimed at their commander, Mohammed Deif. Despite the strike, another Hamas member confirmed that Deif was unharmed and actively commanding operations.

This announcement followed an intense Israeli airstrike on a displacement camp in southern Gaza on Saturday, targeting Deif in what Hamas described as an unjustifiable attack. The strike resulted in significant casualties, with the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry reporting 92 fatalities, the majority being women and children, and 300 injuries at the Al-Mawasi camp.

Ismail Haniyeh, the Qatar-based political leader of Hamas, conveyed to international mediators that the group was suspending talks due to Israel’s perceived lack of commitment to the negotiations, ongoing delays, and the repeated targeting of civilians.

Efforts mediated by Qatar and Egypt, supported by the U.S., have yet to stop the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has persisted for nine months. Al-Mawasi, declared a safe zone by Israeli forces earlier in May, has been the site of numerous deadly attacks attributed to Israeli actions.

Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, criticized the Israeli claims of safety zones in Gaza, stating that such assurances were misleading given the lack of adequate shelter or infrastructure in these designated areas.

Israeli officials acknowledged targeting Deif and another military leader in Saturday’s strikes, though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted uncertainty regarding their fates. Deif has long been a key figure wanted by Israel, accused of orchestrating attacks that have killed numerous civilians and soldiers.

On the same day, other Israeli strikes in Gaza City resulted in at least eight additional deaths.

The ongoing Israeli military operations across Gaza, including in Gaza City and Rafah, are part of a broader response to an October 7 attack by Hamas, which led to significant casualties and the capture of hostages, with ongoing fatalities reported in the conflict.

The incident at the Al-Mawasi camp has drawn sharp criticism internationally, with Egypt’s foreign ministry among those condemning the action. Meanwhile, discussions of a truce and hostage exchange continue, with U.S. President Joe Biden noting some progress in negotiations despite existing challenges.