GAZA — Hamas said on Sunday that talks for a Gaza cease-fire are ongoing and affirmed the good health of the group’s military commander, following a massive Israeli airstrike targeting Mohammed Deif. Local health officials reported at least 90 deaths, including children.

The condition of Deif remained uncertain, despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement on Saturday night that there was "still isn’t absolute certainty” of his death. Hamas provided no evidence to support their claim regarding the health of Deif, a key figure behind the October 7 attack that initiated the conflict.

On Sunday, the Israeli military confirmed the death of Rafa Salama, described as one of Deif’s closest associates and commander of Hamas’ Khan Younis brigade, in Saturday’s strike. However, there was no update on Deif, who has been a top target for Israel and has remained in hiding for years.

Hamas rejected claims that mediated cease-fire talks had halted after the strike. Spokesperson Jihad Taha stated, “there is no doubt that the horrific massacres will impact any efforts in the negotiations,” but affirmed that mediation efforts are ongoing.

Hamas political officials insisted that communication channels between leadership inside and outside Gaza remained operational following the strike in the southern territory. Witnesses reported the strike occurred in an area designated by Israel as safe for hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians.

Survivors expressed anger on Sunday that the attack targeting Deif occurred without warning in an area they had been told was safe.

A United Nations official described chaotic scenes at Nasser hospital, where victims of Saturday’s strike were treated, many on bloodstained floors with limited medical supplies available.

More than 38,400 people in Gaza have been killed in Israeli ground offensives and bombardments, according to the territory’s Health Ministry.

On Sunday, an Israeli strike in Nuseirat in central Gaza killed at least 13 people at the gate of a school, according to Associated Press journalists at Al-Awda hospital. Israel’s military stated it targeted “terrorists” operating near a school run by the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. — Agencies