Israel Matzav

Hamas: 'It's a fake'

Hamas claims that the death certificate above from the Gaza Health Ministry (run by Hamas), which was shown on Israel's Channel 2 last night, and which shows that three people died in Wednesday's IDF bombing on the home in which Deif's family was staying, is a fake.

A "death certificate" said to be that of Hamas's military leader Mohammed Deif and currently circulating online has been dismissed as a forgery by the terrorist group.

At least three people were killed in an Israeli Air Force strike which targeted the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigade chief, two of whom were identified as his wife and son. Hamas claimed, however, that the terrorist mastermind himself escaped with his life - but specifics about his condition following the attack have been conspicuously absent, leading to speculation he may in fact have been killed or severely injured.

The "death certificate" shows the names of three people supposedly killed in the attack. The first name listed is "Mohammed Deif", whose date of birth is given as August 1965. The date and time of his death are given as yesterday (August 20), at 6:30 a.m.

A spokesperson for the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, countered that Deif is alive and well, saying Israel "was unable to get to our commander, Mohammed Deif," and declaring that Deif would "lead the army that will enter to liberate the holy al-Aqsa mosque".

Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri went further in an interview with Hamas's Al Aqsa TV, saying Deif wasn't even in the building when the IDF bombed it.

Thousands of people attended the funeral of Deif's wife and son in Gaza's Jabalya 'refugee camp' on Wednesday. 

According to Deif wife's father Vidad Asfura, 27, knew she was living on borrowed time ever since she married Deif seven years ago.

He said that he had the chance to see Deif only once during this whole time - on the wedding day itself.

Vidad's mother said she is proud of her daughter and willing to sacrifice more victims for the liberation of the Palestinian people.

It would be shocking if Deif is dead and Hamas didn't give him a huge send-off. But that can wait. The rumors here are that we got him.

There was only one rocket shot into Israel overnight, but the pace has picked up today. More is coming on that.

Labels: Gaza, Hamas, IAF, Izzadin Kassam Brigades, Mohammed Deif, Operation Protective Edge, Palestinian terrorism

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 12:50 PM