Israeli diplomatic sources estimate that despite the strike targeting Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif on Saturday, negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of hostages will continue, Israel National News reported on Monday.
The diplomatic sources based the assessment on the response from Hamas officials following the airstrike.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday night that it was not clear whether Deif, the architect of the October 7 massacre, was killed in the strike. In contrast, security forces on Sunday did confirm that Deif’s deputy, Rafa’a Salameh, the commander of Hamas’s Khan Younis Brigade, was killed.
Sources in Hamas confirmed to the Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese newspaper Al Akhbar on Monday that indirect ceasefire talks are continuing.
