GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Before Israel halted its escalation against the Gaza Strip after a cease-fire was announced May 20, it carried out a failed assassination attempt against Mohammed al-Deif, the general commander of Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing, the Times of Israel reported May 19.

According to information from the Israeli military obtained by the Times of Israel, the most recent attempt took place May 17. Israel has been chasing Deif for 25 years for planning dozens of operations against Israel, the paper said, adding that past attempts to kill him cost him his eye, both of his legs and one arm. Israel missed its target during the 2014 Gaza war and killed instead his wife, infant son and 3-year-old daughter, the newspaper wrote.

During the recent escalation round, Israel killed 16 Hamas military leaders and members. On May 12, the Israeli army announced a complex and unique operation to assassinate a number of senior Hamas leaders in Gaza City and Khan Yunis, whom it described as important commanders of the brigades and closely associated with Deif. Shortly after the Israeli announcement, the brigades said in a statement that that the commander for Gaza City, Bassem Issa, and other field commanders were killed in an Israeli strike on Hamas positions in Gaza, adding, “These leaders had the honor of dying as martyrs, leaving thousands of leaders who will continue to walk the same path.”

Al-Monitor reported May 14 that these Hamas leaders were targeted while they were inside a secret tunnel the movement had dug under Al-Thalathini Street in central Gaza City.