Hamas is trying to continue building the "myth of victory" of October 7, while Israel is systematically eliminating all those responsible for planning and carrying out the massacre in the Gaza Envelope.
Israel's intelligence officials estimate with a very high probability that Muhammad Deif, the commander-in-chief of the military wing of Hamas, was killed on July 13 by the Israeli Air Force bombing in the Khan Yunis area, together with Rafe Salama, one of his deputies and the commander of the brigade of the military wing in Khan Younes.
The Hamas leadership in Doha was quick to deny Deif's death. Senior Hamas official Khalil Alahia, Yahya Sinwar's deputy, appeared on the Al-Jazeera channel and bragged that Deif is still alive. He sent a message to Prime Minister Netanyahu and told him: "Mohammed Deif heard your statements and he is mocking you."
Unofficial Hamas officials confirmed Salama's death, but refused to comment on Deif's fate. The Israeli Shin Bet is convinced that Deif was eliminated, and is now looking for more evidence to prove it.