Israelis target Hamas bombmaker in 'copter strike

The fate of Hamas master bombmaker Mohammed Deif remained unclear today, hours after an Israeli helicopter fired two missiles at a car in Gaza, killing at least two people and wounding dozens.

Israeli officials said Deif, 37, who has long topped Israel’s most wanted list, was apparently killed yesterday, but Palestinians insisted that he survived, possibly unhurt. Meanwhile, criticism mounted over Israel’s practice of targeting militants in crowded cities.