The killing of Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif would mark the highest-profile assassination of any Hamas leader by Israel since the war began. It would be a huge victory for Israel and a deep psychological blow for the militant group.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was set to hold a press conference Saturday evening, while Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told the military to increase ‘operational readiness on all fronts.’

The war was triggered by Hamas’ cross-border attack on Oct. 7, in which 1,200 people were killed and 250 others taken hostage. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed over 38,000 Palestinians

Abandoned, bullet-ridden apartment buildings have blasted out walls and shattered windows. Bedrooms and kitchens are visible from roads dotted with rubble piles that tower over the Israeli military vehicles passing by. Very few civilians remain.

Word of the decision emerged as an Israeli official said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had decided to send negotiators to resume Gaza cease-fire talks.