Israeli officials acknowledge assassination attempt on Hamas military wing chief Deif

Unclear whether Deif himself, who has in the past been targeted by Israel to no avail, was in the family's home at the time of the strike.

By REUTERS
Mohammad Deif (photo credit: ARAB MEDIA)
Mohammad Deif
(photo credit: ARAB MEDIA)
Israeli officials told local media on Wednesday that the military tried to assassinate the commander of Hamas' military wing in Gaza, Muhammad Deif. According to reports, Deif's wife and daughter were killed in the attack, but there is no word on whether Deif himself, who has in the past been targeted by Israel to no avail, was in the family's home at the time of the strike.
Hamas leader Mousa Abu Marzouk charged earlier Wednesday after Gaza truce talks collapsed in a spasm of violence that Israel had targeted Deif in one of its air strikes on Tuesday in the coastal territory.
The Israeli military would not specify any of the targets of some 30 attacks across Gaza in response to rocket fire aimed at Israel. Marzouk said Israel had ruptured the truce alleging it was in order "to assassinate Muhammad Deif," but that civilians were killed at the site of the attack.
Palestinian health officials said three people were killed in a strike on a house in Gaza City, including a child and a woman. The third victim was not identified.
Israeli media said Israel had been targeting another leading Hamas militant in charge of rocket fire, but did not know whether or not he had survived the attack.