Israel confirms killing key Hamas commander and one of the masterminds behind October 7 massacre

The deceased was identified as Rafa’a Salameh.

He was a commander of the Hamas' Khan Yunis Brigade.

IDF posted on X: "Salameh was one of the masterminds behind the Oct. 7 massacre and commanded over plans for the development of tunnels in the Khan Yunis Brigade. Additionally, he took part in combat support operations and defensive plans for Hamas during Operation Protective Edge in 2014."

Meanwhile, the UN health agency and partners are helping treat many of those injured during Saturday’s deadly airstrikes by Israeli forces on Gaza’s Al Mawasi area, which have reportedly left at least 90 dead and around 300 injured, according to figures from the war-torn enclave’s health ministry.

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres said via his spokesperson late on Saturday that he was “shocked and saddened by the loss of lives”.

Israeli officials said the attack had been a “precision” strike targeting top Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif and his deputy Rafa'a Salameh.

The strike took place close to the city of Khan Younis in an area reportedly designated by the Israeli military as a safe zone for civilians.