The Israeli occupation has begun to backtrack on claims of assassinating the general commander of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Muhammad al-Deif, after "near confirmation about this in the past hours," according to Israeli media citing a political source.

This comes after a reliable source had previously confirmed to Al Mayadeen that Commander Muhammad al-Deif is well, stressing that the Israeli allegations about his injury are baseless.

In the same context, the Hamas movement confirmed that the Israeli occupation's claims about targeting leaders are false, noting that this is not the first time the occupation has claimed to target Palestinian leaders, only for it to be proven false later.

The movement emphasized in a statement that the purpose of these allegations is to cover up the horrific massacre committed by the Israeli occupation in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip.

It also explained that the Khan Younis massacre indicates the occupation government's continuation of its genocidal war against the Palestinian people, through the repeated and systematic targeting of unarmed civilians, in tents, displacement centers, and residential neighborhoods, committing the most heinous crimes against them.

Hamas also pointed out that the occupation's disregard for international law and treaties, and the widespread violations it commits against unarmed civilians, would not have continued without the support provided by the US administration to the Israeli occupation's extremist government and its "terrorist" military.

It's another horrifying massacre unleashed by the Israeli military in an area where Palestinians sought shelter.

Israeli fighter jets unleashed a barrage of bombs and missiles on al-Mawasi, where displaced Palestinians had sought refuge.

The scenes unfolding are horrific and… pic.twitter.com/qr10IjnTUL

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 13, 2024

It noted that this support is provided by covering up Israeli crimes, supplying the Israeli occupation with all means of political and military support, and paralyzing international justice from playing its role regarding these crimes, making Washington a full partner in them.

In a statement to Reuters, Hamas leader Sami Abu Zuhri affirmed that the report broadcast by the Israeli occupation's Army Radio, stating that a raid on Khan Younis targeted the general commander of the al-Qassam Brigades, is "nonsense."

Abu Zuhri added that "all the martyrs are civilians," stressing that "what is happening is a dangerous escalation of genocide amid American support and global silence," and further noted that the massacre is a practical message from the occupation indicating that it "is not interested in any agreement."

Media Office in Gaza: Do not circulate the occupation's false narrative

The Government Media Office in the Gaza Strip confirmed that the Israeli occupation has been spreading false news, lies, and unfounded rumors related to the targeting of Palestinian leaders.

The office emphasized that the aim behind these false Israeli claims is to divert attention from the horrific crime committed by the occupation forces in the al-Mawasi, Khan Yunis area.

It added that the claims made by the occupation are a failed attempt to justify the horrific massacre that has so far resulted in 71 martyrs and 289 injured.

Additionally, the Government Media Office noted that the occupation has been practicing a policy of deliberate deception since the start of the genocidal war against the Gaza Strip, in an attempt to cover up its failures and crimes against civilians and the forcibly displaced Palestinians.

In light of this, the office called on media outlets and journalists to exercise the utmost caution and to be very careful when preparing news and journalistic reports related to such massacres.

It also urged not to circulate the occupation's narrative or be dragged behind it, condemning the use of media deception methods, and the spread of false news, rumors, and lies by the occupation, in an attempt to divert attention from its ongoing crimes against the Palestinian people.

Furthermore, the Government Media Office held the Israeli occupation and its supporting U.S. administration fully responsible for the continuation of these massacres, as well as the use of media deception to divert public opinion from the truth.

It also called on the international community, the United Nations, various international organizations, and all free countries of the world to pressure the occupation and Washington to stop the ongoing genocide and to legally pursue the occupation to stop this farce that tries to mislead public opinion.

A second Israeli massacre in less than three hours.

Disturbing footage has surfaced depicting the initial moments of a massacre perpetrated by Israeli forces against worshippers in the al-Shati refugee camp, located west of #Gaza City.

According to reports, the incident… pic.twitter.com/WedygIW7gS

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 13, 2024

These statements come after the Israeli occupation committed a major massacre by bombing the refugee camps in al-Mawasi in Khan Yunis, which led to the martyrdom and injury of more than 350 Palestinians, according to the preliminary toll announced by the Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip.

In turn, the Palestinian Resistance factions condemned the massacre, affirming that it strengthened their adherence to their just demands for the Palestinian people, and to the conditions set by the resistance for accepting an agreement to end the war and lead to a prisoner exchange.

In addition to the massacre in al-Mawasi, Khan Yunis, the Israeli occupation forces committed another massacre in the Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City, targeting the White Mosque, where at least 17 martyrs were killed and dozens injured.

The martyrs of the two Israeli massacres in al-Mawasi, Khan Yunis, and the Shati refugee camp are added to more than 38,440 martyrs and 88,480 injured recorded since October 7th, according to the latest statistics published by the Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, several martyrs remain under the rubble and in the streets, with rescue and ambulance crews unable to reach them due to the intense and continuous bombing.

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