Hamas Military Wing Chief Mohammed Deif Confirmed Dead by Israel

Photo : AFP

The recent confirmation of Mohammed Deif's death by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. This announcement comes just a day after an Israeli strike in Tehran, Iran, killed Ismail Haniyeh, the top political leader of Hamas. The elimination of these two senior figures is seen as a notable triumph for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Life and Legacy of Mohammed Deif

Born in 1965 in the Khan Yunis Refugee Camp in the Gaza Strip, Mohammed Deif’s family was originally from al-Qubeiba near Ramleh, but they were displaced during the 1948 Palestine war. Deif graduated with a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the Islamic University of Gaza in 1988. During his university years, he nurtured a passion for the arts and established a theatre group called "The Returners."

Deif joined Hamas in 1987, shortly after its formation during the First Intifada against Israeli occupation. He was arrested by Israeli authorities in 1989 but was released in 1991 as part of a prisoner exchange, after serving 16 months. Following his release, Deif played a crucial role in founding the Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas. He took command of the Brigades in 2002 after the assassination of Salah Shehade and transformed them into a well-organized military force.

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Deif masterminded several devastating attacks, including the 1996 Jaffa Road bus bombings, and was responsible for numerous kidnappings and killings of Israeli soldiers. He developed and implemented Hamas' strategy of combining rocket attacks on Israel with tunnel warfare. Despite surviving seven assassination attempts since 2001, he suffered severe injuries, including the loss of an eye and limbs. His wife, infant son, and 3-year-old daughter were killed in a 2014 Israeli airstrike.

Israel had been pursuing Mohammed Deif since 1995 for his role in the deaths of soldiers and civilians, placing him on their 'most wanted' list. Both the US and the European Union designated Deif as a terrorist, adding him to their terrorism lists in 2015 and 2023, respectively. Deif was also behind the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel, which he claimed was a response to Israeli actions at the Al-Aqsa mosque and the killing of Palestinians. In May 2024, the International Criminal Court's Prosecutor sought arrest warrants for Deif and other Hamas leaders for their actions during the attack.

Impact and Implications

The deaths of Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh are significant blows to Hamas. Deif's strategic and operational skills had made him a pivotal figure in the group's military operations, while Haniyeh's political leadership was central to Hamas' governance and international relations. Their elimination could disrupt Hamas' command structure and operational capabilities, potentially leading to a period of uncertainty and reorganization within the group.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the IDF view these operations as major successes in their ongoing efforts to dismantle Hamas' leadership and reduce its capacity to launch attacks against Israel. However, the long-term impact on the conflict remains to be seen, as Hamas has shown resilience and adaptability in the face of leadership losses in the past.