Israel said it targeted the military commander of Hamas during a massive strike today, Saturday, in the crowded southern Gaza Strip, resulting in the death of at least 71 people, according to local health officials, while Hamas immediately rejected the claims.

It was not immediately known whether Mohamed Deif was among the dead, as Israeli officials confirmed that he and Hamas's second-in-command, Ra'afat Salama, were the targets. A military official later stated that they "are still verifying the outcome of the attack," and did not deny that it occurred within the safe zone imposed by Israeli forces.

Many believe Deif is the main architect of the October 7 attack that resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people in southern Israel and triggered the ongoing war, and he has topped Israel's most wanted list for years, believed to have survived multiple Israeli assassination attempts in the past.

His potential death threatens to halt ceasefire talks and would be seen as a major Israeli victory in the campaign that has been raging for nine months.

Hamas said in a statement in response to Israel: "These false claims are merely a cover-up for the scale of the horrific massacre."

The Gaza Health Ministry reported that at least 289 others were injured in the attack—one of the deadliest wars—and many of the dead and wounded were transported to nearby Nasser Hospital, where Associated Press journalists counted more than 40 bodies. Witnesses described the attack, which involved multiple strikes, as fierce.

The Health Ministry said: "Many of the victims are still under the rubble and on the roads, and rescue and civil defense crews cannot reach them."

The Israeli army confirmed that "additional terrorists are hiding among civilians" and described the strike location as an area surrounded by trees and numerous buildings and rooftops.

Footage following the strike showed a massive crater, charred tents, burnt vehicles, and household belongings scattered across the black earth as emergency workers and Palestinians searched the area for survivors. Victims were transported on blankets and in car bags, and on donkey carts and rugs.

Witnesses said the attack occurred inside Mawasi, the safe area designated by Israel, which stretches from northern Rafah to Khan Younis. The coastal strip is where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have fled to seek safety, mostly residing in overcrowded tents, with little services.

One displaced Palestinian man said, "This is what they call a safe area filled with people from the north. All the children have been martyred here. We gathered their pieces with our hands," estimating that there were seven or eight missiles and confirming that first responders were also targeted.

According to an Israeli official, the strike was carried out within a fenced area of Khan Younis that was run by Hamas, but he did not clarify the exact location, saying it was not a tent camp but an operational compound. The official described the strike as precise and stated he estimates that many of the victims were "terrorists."

Deif has been hiding for over two decades and is believed to be paralyzed. One of the only known images of him is a 30-year-old ID photo issued by Israel. Even in Gaza, only a handful of people would recognize him.

Meanwhile, U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari mediators continue to press to narrow the gaps between Israel and Hamas on a proposed three-phase ceasefire deal and a hostage release plan in Gaza.

The U.S.-backed proposal calls for an initial ceasefire with the release of a limited number of hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza. At the same time, both sides will negotiate the terms of the second phase, which is supposed to provide full hostage release in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Israel launched its campaign in Gaza following the October 7 Hamas attack, during which militants breached southern Israel and kidnapped around 250 people.

Since then, Israeli strikes and bombardments have killed more than 38,400 people in Gaza, and over 88,000 have been injured, according to the region's health ministry.

More than 80 percent of the 2.3 million people in Gaza have been displaced from their homes, with most now in makeshift tent camps, facing widespread hunger.