A report in the London-based Saudi newspaper Al Arabiya suggests that a Hamas courier leaked the location of the terrorist group's notorious military wing commander, Mohammed Deif, facilitating his elimination in an Israeli airstrike in Khan Yunis, in the south. from the Gaza Strip last month.
According to a Hamas source cited by the newspaper, the courier had been transferring messages from Hamas' Rafah Brigade commander Muhammad Shabana, who leaked details of the planned meeting between Deif and Khan Yunis Brigade commander Rafaa. Salame, who was also killed in the attack.
The precise Air Force bombing took place a few minutes after the messenger confirmed that the two ringleaders had entered the complex building, the report states.
Israel indicated that Israeli warplanes had been patrolling the complex for half a day before the attack was carried out and dropped the precision bombs minutes after receiving intelligence that Deif had arrived at the meeting.
According to Al Arabiya, Israel also attempted to eliminate Shabana three times during the war in Gaza based on intelligence provided by the same courier.
According to the report, the Palestinian “agent” was being investigated.
The Israel Defense Forces released images of the attack on July 13 after confirming that Deif had died in the incident.