The Israeli army said it has eliminated half of Hamas’s military leaders, with around 14,000 terrorists killed or captured.
In a public statement on July 16, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had taken out six Hamas brigade commanders, more than 20 battalion commanders, and approximately 150 company commanders in the 263 days of operation in the Gaza Strip.
It added that it had struck about 37,000 targets from the air within the Gaza Strip and more than 25,000 terrorist infrastructure and launch sites.
The IDF has ramped up pressure across the strip in the last week or so. With reports of heavier-than-usual civilian casualties, and the Israeli government under domestic pressure to reach a deal and bring home hostages taken in the Oct. attack of last year, the army is communicating its achievements.
Hamas, meanwhile, said on July 14 that negotiations are still underway, with Qatari and Egyptian mediators, and Israeli media reported on July 16 that an Israeli delegation was likely to travel to talks in Qatar or Egypt this week.
The IDF’s statement could give Mr. Netanyahu room to formalize a deal. Its estimate of Hamas casualties, though, is not quite half of Hamas’s estimated 30,000 strength, and Hamas has promised to repeat attacks like that of Oct. 7.
The IDF defended its strikes. One over the weekend, in an attempt to take out elusive Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif, killed around 90 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, and wounded over 300.
Gazans said the strike hit a humanitarian zone meant to shelter Gazan civilians, who have had to flee repeatedly since the war began in October.
The IDF, though, used before and after aerial photos to show the target surrounded chiefly by trees, and the damage zone including only a couple of small buildings.
Israel has not confirmed that it eliminated Mr. Deif, who has been in hiding for years. It did confirm they killed one of his top deputies, Khan Yunis Brigade commander Rafa'a Salameh. Hamas said Mr. Deif was alive and well but offered no proof.
One of the graphics accompanying the public statement suggested Mr. Deif remains at large. An organization chart of Hamas leadership labels some, including Mr. Salameh, as “eliminated,” but not Mr. Deif.
The IDF said it made such a strike because Hamas routinely uses human shields for its fighters, leaders, weapons, and headquarters.
“The IDF focuses its efforts on locating terrorists who embed themselves and establish bases in sensitive sites across the Gaza Strip, including in hospitals, schools, and humanitarian shelters,” the IDF said on Telegram. “These areas are cynically exploited by terrorists who attempt to use them as hiding places and bases for terrorism. Strikes against this infrastructure are conducted in accordance with international law."
Hamas’ surprise attack on Oct. 7 killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and militants took roughly 250 people hostage. About 120 remain in captivity, with at least a third of those believed to be dead, according to Israeli authorities.
Violence has also surged in the West Bank during the war. On Tuesday, a Palestinian stabbed an Israeli policeman, wounding him lightly, before another officer opened fire, killing the assailant, identified as a 19-year-old from Gaza.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
