At least 71 dead in Israeli strike targeting Hamas military chief

289 others injured in attack in area where Palestinian evacuees have been repeatedly urged to head to

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An Israeli air strike killed at least 71 Palestinians in a designated humanitarian zone in Gaza on July 13, the enclave's Health Ministry said, in an attack that Israel said targeted Hamas' military chief Mohammed Deif.

Hamas said in a statement that Israel's claim that it had targeted the group's leaders was false and aimed at justifying the attack.

The Israeli military said the strike against Deif also targeted Rafa Salama, commander of Hamas' Khan Younis Brigade. It described the two as among the masterminds of the Oct 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war in Gaza.

Deif has survived seven Israeli assassination attempts, the most recent in 2021, and has topped Israel's most wanted list for decades. Israel also holds him responsible for the deaths of dozens of Israelis in suicide bombings.

The Gaza Health Ministry said at least 71 Palestinians had been killed in the strike and 289 injured, the deadliest toll in weeks.

Al-Mawasi is a designated humanitarian area which the Israeli army has repeatedly urged Palestinians to head to after issuing evacuation orders from other areas.