At least 71 Palestinians have been reported killed in an Israeli strike on a displacement camp in southern Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The strike, which targeted Mohammed Deif, the leader of Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing, resulted in scenes of devastation, with destroyed tents and bodies in the street.

The Israeli military stated that the strike aimed to target Deif, who was alleged to be the mastermind behind the October 7 attacks. Alongside Deif, Rafe Salama, the head of the Khan Younis brigade, was also targeted. However, the Israeli military is still in the process of verifying whether Deif was killed in the strike.

Footage from Al-Mawasi, designated as a safe zone for Palestinians fleeing the fighting, showed the magnitude of the tragedy, with locals and rescue teams searching for people trapped under the rubble. The Kuwait and Nasser Hospitals reported struggling to cope with the influx of dead and injured civilians.

Eyewitness testimonies painted a grim picture of the strike. A young boy named Hammoud recounted the moment the strike hit, with his brother losing his life and his sister currently receiving treatment for her injuries. Another resident, Aida Hamdi, described the chaos and the loss of innocent lives.

Hamas denied Israeli claims that they had targeted their military leaders, calling the incident a "horrific massacre". Israeli security and intelligence had received intelligence regarding the opportunity to strike Deif in recent days. The decision to carry out the strike was made after multiple discussions between top Israeli officials, considering the potential effect on ongoing ceasefire and hostage deal negotiations.

Mohammed Deif, also known as El Deif, has remained a target of Israeli assassination attempts in the past. He is believed to be a bomb maker and was behind a series of suicide attacks in 1996. His elusive nature earned him the nickname "the Guest", as he constantly changed his location to avoid being tracked by Israel.

In May, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Deif and other senior Hamas figures, holding them responsible for the October 7 attacks. The ongoing Israeli campaign in Gaza, aimed at destroying Hamas and rescuing hostages, has resulted in a staggering death toll of over 38,000 people.

As the situation continues to unfold, the international community is closely monitoring the escalating violence and its impact on the already fragile peace process in the region.