Hamas confirms death of military chief Mohammed Deif

Gaza City, Palestinian Territories: Hamas has officially confirmed the death of its military chief, Mohammed Deif, who was accused by Israel of orchestrating the deadly October 7 attack. The announcement was made by Abu Obeida, spokesperson for Hamas' armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades. In a video statement, Obeida declared that Deif, along with other senior commanders, had been martyred.

Deif's role in October 7 attack

Israel had long accused Mohammed Deif of being one of the key architects behind the October 7 massacre, a devastating assault on Israel that led to significant loss of life. Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, also involved in planning the attack, was killed in October 2024. Israel had previously announced the death of Deif in August 2024, stating he was killed in an airstrike in Gaza in July of the same year.

Israel's military strike, confirmation

The Israeli military claimed that its fighter jets targeted the Khan Yunis area on July 13, 2024, where it confirmed Deif's death following an intelligence assessment. Israel also said Deif had been killed alongside top commander Rafa Salama. The military accused Deif of planning and executing the October 7 attack, which it described as a massacre.

Deif's long history with Hamas

Mohammed Deif, whose real name was Mohammed Diab al-Masri, became head of Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, in 2002. He was one of Israel's most wanted men for nearly three decades and had been on the US list of "international terrorists" since 2015. Born in the Khan Yunis refugee camp in 1965, Deif rarely appeared in public, often hiding his face in videos or appearing only in silhouette.

Close calls, controversy

Deif earned the nickname the "cat with nine lives" due to his numerous narrow escapes from death. In 2014, an Israeli airstrike killed his wife and seven-month-old son. Deif was also said to have played a significant role in the network of tunnels beneath Gaza, a key element in Hamas's operations.

In May 2024, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) sought a warrant for Deif’s arrest, accusing him and Sinwar of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Despite Israel’s earlier claims, Hamas did not confirm Deif’s death until now.

Agency