In a fresh Israeli assault on Gaza City, at least 17 Palestinians have been killed and 50 wounded, according to rescuers and health officials. The attacks occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning, less than 24 hours after Israeli forces targeted the Hamas military chief, Mohammed Deif, in a strike in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.

The Israeli airstrikes targeted several houses in different parts of the city on Sunday. Mohammed Deif, who has been on Israel's most-wanted list since 1995, is believed to be the mastermind behind the 7 October attack on southern Israel, which triggered the Israel-Hamas war. The strike in Khan Younis, according to the territory's emergency services, resulted in the death of over 90 people and injured 300 more.

It has been reported that Deif and another top Hamas official, Rafa Salama, were targeted in the strike, but their fate remains uncertain. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that there is still no conclusive certainty about their status but assured that they will reach the top of Hamas one way or another.

Hamas's deputy leader, Khalil al-Hayya, dismissed Netanyahu's claims, asserting that Deif had not been killed and was mocking the Israeli Prime Minister's lies. Another Hamas official confirmed that Deif was "fine" and still actively working, despite Israel's attempt.

Mohammed Deif, also known as "guest," has frequently changed his location to avoid detection by Israeli forces. He has a history of orchestrating suicide bombings targeting Israeli civilians in the 1990s and again years later. On 7 October, Deif issued a rare voice recording announcing the "Al-Aqsa Flood" operation.

Gaza's health ministry reported that Israel's strike on a camp for displaced people in Khan Younis resulted in the death of at least 92 Palestinians and injured over 300 others. Witnesses in the area described witnessing multiple warplanes bombing the al-Mawasi area in Khan Younis.

Hamas has called Israeli claims of targeting their leaders "false" and an attempt to justify the attack. A senior Hamas official stated that the Palestinian militant group has withdrawn from talks on a ceasefire due to what they perceive as Israeli "massacres" and a lack of genuine intent to reach an agreement.

Ceasefire talks between Israel and Gaza had been taking place with Egyptian mediators but were halted after three days of intense negotiations failed to produce a viable outcome. The blame was placed on Israel, with sources claiming a lack of genuine intent and internal discord among the Israeli mediators.

Hamas's political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, accused Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu of sabotaging the negotiations and seeking to block a deal to end the war with "heinous massacres." Thousands of Israelis took to the streets in protest over the weekend, accusing Netanyahu of hindering the negotiations and jeopardizing the safe return home of hostages still held captive in Gaza by Hamas.

The families of the hostages emphasized the importance of their safe return and urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to prioritize their release in the ongoing negotiations. The proposed deal is said to be in its final stages, and the families have been waiting for their loved ones for 282 days.

The situation remains tense as both sides express their grievances and frustrations with the ongoing conflict. The international community is closely monitoring the developments in hopes of a peaceful resolution to the Israel-Hamas war.