Israel claims top Hamas leader killed in deadly Gaza airstrike

Israel on Sunday said Rafa Salama, a top commander from the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, was confirmed killed in a deadly airstrike which the Hamas-run health authorities in Gaza said hit a refugee camp, leaving at least 90 people killed.

Salama was a key target of Saturday's strike along with Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas' military wing in Gaza. The pair have been described by Israel as "masterminds of the massacre on October 7," which sparked the current conflict.

A statement from the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said Salama was "eliminated" but made no mention of Deif. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously stated that there was still no absolute certainty about Deif's fate.

The IDF described Salama as one of Deif's closest associates and said his death would seriously impair Hamas' military capabilities. Salama commanded the Khan Younis Brigade in southern Gaza and was responsible for numerous rocket strikes carried out against Israel in recent years, the IDF said.

Palestinian medics said the strike on Saturday killed at least 90 people and left hundreds injured after tents for displaced people in the al-Mawasi camp were hit.

The IDF said the attack "was carried out in a fenced-in area controlled by Hamas and where, according to [IDF] information, only Hamas terrorists and no civilians were present."