Mohammed Deif, the military leader of Hamas and key planner behind the October 7, 2023, assault on southern Israel, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on July 13.
Key Details
- Death and Impact:
- Deif, 58, was killed in Gaza’s Khan Yunis area. This marks a significant blow to Hamas, coming nearly nine months after the October 7 attack that led to a severe Israeli military response in Gaza.
- His death was confirmed by the Israeli military. Hamas has not yet responded officially to the confirmation.
- Background and Career:
- Mohammed Deif, originally named Mohammad Masri, was born in 1965 in Khan Younis Refugee Camp, Gaza. He joined Hamas during the first Intifada in 1987.
- Over his 30-year career with Hamas, Deif was responsible for developing the group’s network of tunnels and bomb-making capabilities. He had survived seven previous assassination attempts by Israel.
- Role in October 7 Attack:
- Deif played a central role in planning the October 7 raid, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and more than 250 hostages. The attack was the deadliest in Israel’s history.
- The operation, named “Al-Aqsa Flood” by Deif, was described as retaliation for Israeli raids on the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
- Personal Life:
- Deif lost an eye and sustained leg injuries from previous Israeli attacks. His family was also affected; his wife and two children were killed in an Israeli airstrike in 2014.
- Despite being one of Israel’s most wanted men, Deif rarely appeared in public and was known for his secretive nature.
- Hamas’s Reaction and Future Tensions:
- Following his death, Hamas vowed retaliation, and Iran declared three days of national mourning, blaming the U.S. for supporting Israel.
- The region faces increased tension as the Israel-Hamas conflict continues, with recent developments including the killing of Hezbollah’s senior commander.
- International Response:
- The International Criminal Court’s prosecutor has requested arrest warrants for Deif and other Hamas leaders, along with Israeli officials, over their respective actions in the conflict.
Mohammed Deif’s death is a significant event in the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel. As one of the key figures behind the October 7 attack, his assassination marks a critical moment in the turbulent relationship between the two sides. The situation remains highly volatile with ongoing violence and international scrutiny
