Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court are looking into the reported death of Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif and will withdraw their case against him if they can confirm it, legal filings made public showed, Reuters reports.

Deif, 58, was believed to be one of the masterminds of the Oct 7 assault on southern Israel which triggered the Gaza conflict, and since then had directed Hamas military operations against Israeli forces in the Palestinian enclave.

Israel said he was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza’s southern city of Khan Younis on July 13. Hamas has neither neither confirmed nor denied that.

“The prosecution will withdraw its (arrest warrant) application against Deif if sufficient and reliable information confirms his death,” the legal document, filed under under seal on August 2 but only revealed on Tuesday, said.

Last Friday the ICC announced it had terminated proceedings against Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Iran on July 31.

Opinion

Editorial

At heat’s mercy
Updated 28 Apr, 2025

At heat’s mercy

The current heatwave is a dire warning of what lies ahead if Pakistan fails to confront the realities of climate change.
Culture war
28 Apr, 2025

Culture war

THE heightened tensions between India and Pakistan have sealed the fate of Abir Gulaal. Slated for a May release and...
Haj mismanagement
28 Apr, 2025

Haj mismanagement

THE relevant authorities in Pakistan are often blamed for negligence and poor management when it comes to Haj...
From gains to gaps
27 Apr, 2025

From gains to gaps

AS we mark World Immunisation Week 2025 — themed ‘Immunisation for All is Humanly Possible’ — we are faced...
Crisis talks
Updated 28 Apr, 2025

Crisis talks

Sense needs to be restored so that the Pahalgam attack may be independently investigated and the victims given justice.
BYC women in jail
27 Apr, 2025

BYC women in jail

THE detained Baloch Yakjehti Committee leader Mahrang Baloch and other BYC activists, including women, are reported...