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.
